CVE-2023-36969Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via PHTML upload

Published Jul 6, 2023 · Updated Nov 19, 2024

Unrestricted file upload in CMS Made Simple 2.2.17 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code through File Manager. File Manager blocks the PHP extension but accepts a PHTML file and places it where a subsequent web request executes its contents. Any user able to sign in and access File Manager can run code in the web server's security context, enabling data access, modification, or service interruption.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability49.32%
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 CMS Made Simple 2.2.17 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code through File Manager. File Manager blocks the PHP extension but accepts a PHTML file and places it where a subsequent web request executes its contents. Any user able to sign in and access File Manager can run code in the web server's security context, enabling data access, modification, or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-36969
Published
Jul 6, 2023
Updated
Nov 19, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-434, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 19, 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 privilegesauthenticated

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

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1505.003Web Shell

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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