CVE-2020-36847: The Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and includ

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-36847?

simple file list: upgrade to 4.2.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-36847 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36847 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-36847 affect?

CVE-2020-36847 affects simple file list. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and including, 4.2.2 via the rename function which can be used to rename uploaded PHP code with a png extension to use a php extension. This

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-36847?

Priority 72/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-36847 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting simple file list. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and including, 4.2.2 via the rename function which can be used to rename uploaded PHP code with a png extension to use a php extension. This allows unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	43.5% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-434
Published	2025-07-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Wordfence · Vendor: simplefilelist

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-07-12 10:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

simplefilelist simple file list UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.2.3

Fixed in: 4.2.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy simple-file-list || rpm -q simple-file-list || simple-file-list --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade simple-file-list

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade simple-file-list

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · R · FIXED · 4.6.2-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-1dd919a262 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-1dd919a262

Fedora ELN · perl-Mail-AuthenticationResults · FIXED · 2.20261029-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-a2c11d7da6 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-a2c11d7da6

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: wpscan.com/vulnerability/365da9c5-a8d0-45f6-863c-1b1926ffd574/
GitHub PoC: 137f/PoC-CVE-2020-36847-WordPress-Plugin-4.2.2-RCE
Exploit-DB: Simple File List WordPress Plugin 4.2.2 - File Upload to RCE
Metasploit: WordPress Simple File List Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-36847?

simple file list: upgrade to 4.2.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-36847 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36847 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-36847 affect?

CVE-2020-36847 affects simple file list. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and including, 4.2.2 via the rename function which can be used to rename uploaded PHP code with a png extension to use a php extension. This

How urgent is CVE-2020-36847?

Priority 72/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-10146 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE The Simple File List WordPress plugin before 6.1.13 does not sanitise and escape a generated URL before output

References

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