Summary
Drupal 8 core's file_save_upload() function does not strip the leading and trailing dot ('.') from filenames, like Drupal 7 did.
Users with the ability to upload files with any extension in conjunction with contributed modules may be able to use this to upload system files such as .htaccess in order to bypass protections afforded by Drupal's default .htaccess file.
After this fix, file_save_upload() now trims leading and trailing dots from filenames.
Impact
The application accepts file uploads without adequately restricting the file type or content. Typical impact: remote code execution if the uploaded file can be served and executed on the server.
GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W has a CVSS score of 6.6 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, high privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (8.7.11, 8.8.1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
drupal/core to 8.7.11 or later; drupal/core to 8.8.1 or later
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W? GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W is a medium-severity unrestricted upload of dangerous file types vulnerability in drupal/core (composer), affecting versions >= 8.0.0, < 8.7.11. It is fixed in 8.7.11, 8.8.1. The application accepts file uploads without adequately restricting the file type or content.
- How severe is GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W? GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W has a CVSS score of 6.6 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of drupal/core are affected by GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W? drupal/core (composer) versions >= 8.0.0, < 8.7.11 is affected.
- Is there a fix for GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W? Yes. GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W is fixed in 8.7.11, 8.8.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix GHSA-7GWJ-7FHM-VW4W?
- Upgrade
drupal/coreto 8.7.11 or later - Upgrade
drupal/coreto 8.8.1 or later
- Upgrade