8.8
HIGH CVSS 3.1
CVE-2026-27636
FreeScout: Missing .htaccess in Restricted File Extensions Allows Remote Code Execution on Apache
Description

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.

INFO

Published Date :

Feb. 25, 2026, 4:16 a.m.

Last Modified :

Feb. 26, 2026, 4:07 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

Yes !
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-27636 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Freescout freescout
CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 3.1 HIGH [email protected]
Solution
Update FreeScout to version 1.8.206 or later to fix file upload restrictions.
  • Update FreeScout to version 1.8.206.
  • Apply vendor-provided patches if available.
  • Review server configuration for AllowOverride settings.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github

CVE-2026-27636 has a 3 public PoC/Exploit available at Github. Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-27636 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-27636 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

CVE-2026-28289

Python

Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : March 5, 2026, 5:48 p.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

Freescout-passive-scanner

Python

Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : March 4, 2026, 3:12 a.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

📡 PoC auto collect from GitHub. ⚠️ Be careful Malware.

security cve exploit poc vulnerability

Updated: 22 hours, 10 minutes ago
7578 stars 1242 fork 1242 watcher
Born at : Dec. 8, 2019, 1:03 p.m. This repo has been linked 764 different CVEs too.

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2026-27636 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

  • Help Net Security
FreeScout vulnerability enables unauthenticated, zero-click RCE via email (CVE-2026-28289)

A newly discovered vulnerability (CVE-2026-28289) in the open-source help desk platform FreeScout could allow attackers to take over vulnerable servers by sending a specially crafted email to a FreeSc ... Read more

Published Date: Mar 05, 2026 (1 week, 6 days ago)
  • CybersecurityNews
Mail2Shell Zero-Click Attack lets Hackers Hijack FreeScout Mail Servers

Hackers Hijack FreeScout Mail Servers Researchers have uncovered a critical zero-click vulnerability in FreeScout, a widely used open-source help desk and shared mailbox application. Dubbed “Mail2Shel ... Read more

Published Date: Mar 05, 2026 (1 week, 6 days ago)

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-27636 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • Initial Analysis by [email protected]

    Feb. 26, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 1.8.206
    Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/9984071e6f1b4e633fdcffcea82bbebc9c1e009c Types: Patch
    Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9 Types: Not Applicable
    Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-mw88-x7j3-74vc Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory
    Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-mw88-x7j3-74vc Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory
    Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9 Types: Not Applicable
  • CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    Feb. 25, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9
    Added Reference https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-mw88-x7j3-74vc
  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Feb. 25, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description 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.
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    Added CWE CWE-434
    Added Reference https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/9984071e6f1b4e633fdcffcea82bbebc9c1e009c
    Added Reference https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9
    Added Reference https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-mw88-x7j3-74vc
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.