CVE-2020-22249Network attack vector

Remote code execution via unchecked plugin archive

Published Jul 6, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unrestricted file upload in phpList 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted plugin ZIP archive. The plugin installer copies archive members into the plugins directory without rejecting executable PHP, PHTML, or PHP7 file extensions. The published assessment treats the upload path as requiring no prior privileges or user interaction, and requesting the copied script executes attacker code in the web-server context.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.89%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unrestricted file upload in phpList 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted plugin ZIP archive. The plugin installer copies archive members into the plugins directory without rejecting executable PHP, PHTML, or PHP7 file extensions. The published assessment treats the upload path as requiring no prior privileges or user interaction, and requesting the copied script executes attacker code in the web-server context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-22249
Published
Jul 6, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-434, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 6, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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