CVE-2020-36847CWE-434

Simple File List < 4.2.3 - Remote Code Execution

Critical Β· published July 12, 2025

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
44%
Percentile
98.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A sneaky rename function in the Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress can lead to full remote code execution! 😱 Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness to execute dangerous PHP code without breaking a sweat! Think of it like a restaurant where anyone can swap out the labels on the meals! If the kitchen thinks it's serving a harmless salad but gets delivered a spicy dish with a secret ingredient, chaos could ensue. An attacker could upload malicious PHP code disguised as a harmless PNG file and execute it on the server. This could lead to complete system compromise, giving them the keys to the kingdom! Imagine a cyber-villain wreaking havoc with full control at their fingertips – absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where anyone can swap out the labels on the meals! If the kitchen thinks it's serving a harmless salad but gets delivered a spicy dish with a secret ingredient, chaos could ensue. This vulnerability in the Simple-File-List Plugin allows unauthenticated users to exploit the rename function, enabling them to upload PHP scripts with a .png extension and execute them as PHP files on the server.

What to do

An attacker could upload malicious PHP code disguised as a harmless PNG file and execute it on the server. This could lead to complete system compromise, giving them the keys to the kingdom! Imagine a cyber-villain wreaking havoc with full control at their fingertips – absolutely devastating! Patch immediately by updating the plugin to version 4.2.3 or later. Additionally, consider implementing restrictions on file uploads to ensure that only safe file types are accepted. Regular audits of installed plugins can help catch such vulnerabilities early! You've got this! Follow these steps, and you'll be a security hero in no time! πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 Β· CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.43519 Β· 98.7th percentile
Weakness
CWE-434 Β· Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Published
2025-07-12T09:24Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 02 SEP 03:17Z
    EPSS moved 33% β†’ 44%
    epss
  • 24 AUG 23:53Z
    EPSS moved 18% β†’ 32%
    epss
  • 12 JUL 09:24Z
    Simple File List < 4.2.3 - Remote Code Execution
    cvelistv5