CVE-2020-36388Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated PHP code execution via PHAR deserialization

Published Jun 17, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

PHAR deserialization in CiviCRM before 5.21.3 and 5.22.0 through 5.24.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code. The Badge AJAX getImageProp endpoint passes its img parameter through getImageProperties to PHP getimagesize without rejecting phar:// paths, which deserializes attacker-controlled archive metadata. Administrative access and an uploaded image containing PHAR metadata are required; CiviCRM gadget chains then execute arbitrary PHP code on WordPress-hosted deployments.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

PHAR deserialization in CiviCRM before 5.21.3 and 5.22.0 through 5.24.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code. The Badge AJAX getImageProp endpoint passes its img parameter through getImageProperties to PHP getimagesize without rejecting phar:// paths, which deserializes attacker-controlled archive metadata. Administrative access and an uploaded image containing PHAR metadata are required; CiviCRM gadget chains then execute arbitrary PHP code on WordPress-hosted deployments.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36388
Published
Jun 17, 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. Jun 17, 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

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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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