CVE-2020-28173Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via unrestricted PHP upload

Published Mar 31, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unrestricted file upload in Simple College Website 1.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code through system settings. The save_settings action in /alumni/admin/ajax.php accepts a PHP file in the img field, stores it under /alumni/admin/assets/uploads/, and leaves it web-accessible for execution. Administrative access is required for this flaw alone; the published exploit chains a separate SQL injection to obtain a session before uploading and requesting the reverse-shell file.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability3.18%
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 Simple College Website 1.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code through system settings. The save_settings action in /alumni/admin/ajax.php accepts a PHP file in the img field, stores it under /alumni/admin/assets/uploads/, and leaves it web-accessible for execution. Administrative access is required for this flaw alone; the published exploit chains a separate SQL injection to obtain a session before uploading and requesting the reverse-shell file.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-28173
Published
Mar 31, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-434, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 31, 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 privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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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