CVE-2020-36847Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated PHP execution via unrestricted file rename

Published Jul 12, 2025 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Remote code execution in Mitchell Bennis Simple File List 4.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute PHP via file rename. The unauthenticated ee-upload-engine.php endpoint accepts PHP code under a .png name, and ee-file-engine.php renames it to a .php file without rejecting the dangerous extension. Exploitation requires HTTP reachability to both plugin handlers, and successful use runs attacker-supplied code in the web server process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability44.19%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Mitchell Bennis Simple File List 4.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute PHP via file rename. The unauthenticated ee-upload-engine.php endpoint accepts PHP code under a .png name, and ee-file-engine.php renames it to a .php file without rejecting the dangerous extension. Exploitation requires HTTP reachability to both plugin handlers, and successful use runs attacker-supplied code in the web server process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36847
Published
Jul 12, 2025
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Mitchell Bennis
Product
Simple File List
Classifications
CWE-434, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 2020Exploitation reported2020 Simple File List mass exploitation campaign
  2. Jul 12, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  3. 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 <4.2.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Mitchell Bennis · Simple File Listversion=0 <4.2.3

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS: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.

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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 exploitationReported
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.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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