What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-27636?

CVE-2026-27636 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.3%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2026-27636?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2026-27636. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.3%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-27636?

Within 24 hours: Identify all FreeScout instances and their current versions; assess whether affected versions are deployed in production. Within 7 days: Apply vendor patch to version 1.8.206 or later on all FreeScout installations; if patching is not immediately feasible, implement the compensating control below. Within 30 days: Conduct post-patch validation; review user access logs for suspicious file uploads; audit user account privileges to reduce exposure surface.

Freescout CVE-2026-27636

HIGH

Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434)

2026-02-25 security-advisories@github.com

PHP RCE Apache Laravel Freescout

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · GitHub Advisory

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

Access

Authenticate to FreeScout
Exploit

Upload .htaccess file via upload form
Execution

Apache processes .htaccess directives
Impact

Execute arbitrary PHP code

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-434 OWASP Top 10:2025 A06:2025 - Insecure Design ASVS 5.0 V5 - File Handling File type validation, storage isolation MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Command and Control, Persistence The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Exploitation Conditions	Authenticated user account required. Apache server with AllowOverride All directive enabled (common default). FreeScout versions prior to 1.8.206 with unrestricted .htaccess file upload capability.
Impact	CVSS 8.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitation requires authentication. Exploitable via remote/network. Public exploit/POC available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker (requires authentication) could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity.

Patch available 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Remote code execution in FreeScout prior to version 1.8.206 allows authenticated users to upload .htaccess files that bypass file upload restrictions, enabling arbitrary code execution on Apache servers with AllowOverride All enabled. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability. The attack requires valid user credentials but affects all FreeScout installations using the vulnerable PHP Laravel framework configuration.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 8.8

Freescout versions up to 1.8.206 is affected by unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type (CVSS 8.8).

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Validate file types by content. Store uploads outside web root. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability (CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affects Freescout. FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.206, FreeScout's file upload restriction list in app/Misc/Helper.php does not include .htaccess or .user.ini files. On Apache servers with AllowOverride All (a common configuration), an authenticated user can upload a .htaccess file to redefine how files are processed, enabling Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability can be exploited on its own or in combination with CVE-2026-27637

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

PoC Detected

Feb 26, 2026 - 16:07 vuln.today

Public exploit code

Patch released

Feb 26, 2026 - 16:07 nvd

Patch available

CVE Published

Feb 25, 2026 - 04:16 nvd

HIGH 8.8

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.206, FreeScout's file upload restriction list in app/Misc/Helper.php does not include .htaccess or .user.ini files. On Apache servers with AllowOverride All (a common configuration), an authenticated user can upload a .htaccess file to redefine how files are processed, enabling Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability can be exploited on its own or in combination with CVE-2026-27637. Version 1.8.206 fixes both vulnerabilities.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

FreeScout help desk systems prior to version 1.8.206 contain a critical file upload vulnerability that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary code on affected servers. Organizations using FreeScout are at immediate risk of system compromise, data theft, and operational disruption if users with access to the platform are compromised or act maliciously.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching cannot occur immediately: (1) Implement Web Application Firewall rules to block .htaccess and .user.ini file uploads; (2) Restrict file upload functionality to trusted users only; (3) Configure Apache with AllowOverride None on the FreeScout upload directory; (4) Monitor upload directories for suspicious file creation; (5) Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.3%

Top 44% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

5 sources

Confidence: Medium

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS POC (1)

GitHub

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 0.3%

Patch available Yes

Active threat Yes

Deciding rule

Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Out-of-Cycle

Exploitation· derived

Active

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +44

PoC: +20

Weaponized: +15

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)GitHub Advisory

cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/9984071e6f1b4e633fdcffcea82bbebc9c1e009c REF https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9

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