CVE-2025-48471
Published: 29 May 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-48471 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Freescout Freescout. Its CVSS base score is 7.0 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 13.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
FreeScout, a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox application, contains an unrestricted file upload flaw tracked as CVE-2025-48471 in all versions before 1.8.179. The code performs insufficient or no validation on files uploaded through the application, explicitly allowing uploads with .phtml and .phar extensions that can be executed when the deployment uses an Apache web server.
An authenticated user with administrative privileges can upload a crafted file containing executable code. When the web server processes the file, this leads to remote code execution on the underlying host, giving the attacker control over the application and potentially the server environment.
The project has released version 1.8.179 to correct the issue, as documented in the associated GitHub security advisory and the commit that added proper file-extension filtering. The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0290 with no observed increase after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-16396
Vulnerability details
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.179, the application does not check or performs insufficient checking of files uploaded to the application. This allows files to be uploaded with the phtml and phar…
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extensions, which can lead to remote code execution if the Apache web server is used. This issue has been patched in version 1.8.179.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.
Dangerous file uploads can be detonated in the chamber to determine malice before any production write or execution occurs.
Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.
Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.