# CVE-2026-63222: CodeIgniter Path Traversal in UploadedFile move method

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-63222-codeigniter-path-traversal-in-uploadedfile-move-method  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-31. Updated: 2026-08-07  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-63222 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-07-31

CodeIgniter, a popular web application framework, contains a vulnerability in how it handles file uploads. An attacker can exploit this to save malicious files outside of the intended upload folder, potentially allowing them to overwrite critical system files or execute unauthorized code. This could lead to a complete compromise of the web server and its data.

Technologies: [codeigniter4/framework (Packagist)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/codeigniter4-framework). Vendors: [Packagist](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/packagist).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-63222 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-63222 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-63222?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 31 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** codeigniter4/framework (Packagist) < 4.7.4, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=4.7.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-63222?** Yes. codeigniter4/framework (Packagist): upgrade to 4.7.4 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-63222 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-63222?** Check whether you run codeigniter4/framework (Packagist) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- codeigniter4/framework (Packagist): upgrade to 4.7.4 or later

  ```sh
  composer require codeigniter4/framework:^4.7.4
  ```


## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in CodeIgniter 4's `UploadedFile::move()` method. When this method is called without a second argument, it defaults to using the client-provided filename without proper sanitization. A remote attacker can provide a filename containing traversal sequences (e.g., `../../shell.php`) to write uploaded content to arbitrary directories reachable by the web server process. While the patch in version 4.7.4 sanitizes the default behavior, developers who explicitly pass unsanitized client-provided names as the second argument remain vulnerable. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without authentication if the application exposes file upload functionality using the affected method.

## Affected products

- CodeIgniter CodeIgniter4 < 4.7.4

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-63222
- GHSA-hhmc-q9hp-r662

## Timeline

- 2026-07-07: disclosed
- 2026-07-31: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-08-07: patched: GitHub Advisory reviewed and updated

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/gr8man](https://api.github.com/users/gr8man)
- [https://github.com/gr8man](https://github.com/gr8man)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/repos](https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/5325117?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/5325117?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/gr8man/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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- [CodeIgniter SQL injection in Query Builder deleteBatch](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-63221-codeigniter-sql-injection-in-query-builder-deletebatch)
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- [CodeIgniter4's ImageMagick Handler has Command Injection Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-54418-codeigniter4-s-imagemagick-handler-has-command-injection)