CVE-2020-36716Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated settings access via unguarded setup_page hook

Published Jun 7, 2023 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Missing authorization in WP Activity Log 4.0.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to change plugin settings through the setup wizard. The setup_page method runs on admin_init without a capability check, accepts the wsal-setup page request, and invokes step-specific save callbacks on submitted data. The wizard must remain incomplete; successful access permits changes to logging exclusions and plugin access settings, including exposure or deletion of activity records.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.83%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authorization in WP Activity Log 4.0.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to change plugin settings through the setup wizard. The setup_page method runs on admin_init without a capability check, accepts the wsal-setup page request, and invokes step-specific save callbacks on submitted data. The wizard must remain incomplete; successful access permits changes to logging exclusions and plugin access settings, including exposure or deletion of activity records.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36716
Published
Jun 7, 2023
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Melapress
Product
WP Activity Log
Classifications
CWE-862, T1562.006
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <4.0.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Melapress · WP Activity Logversion=0 <4.0.2

Published CVSS scores

7.3WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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.

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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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-862Missing Authorization
T1562.006Indicator Blocking

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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