CVE-2020-36847

CRITICAL EXPLOITED

Simple-File-List Plugin <4.2.2 - RCE

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2020-36847 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 6 public exploits from researchers including Md Amanat Ullah (xSwads), ftz7, HORKimhab, including a Metasploit module exploits/multi/http/wp_simple_file_list_rce.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a file upload vulnerability in the Simple File List WordPress plugin (CVE-2020-36847), allowing arbitrary file upload and renaming to achieve remote code execution (RCE). It uploads a PHP payload disguised as an image, renames it to a .php file, and verifies execution.

Description

The Simple-File-List Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions up to, and including, 4.2.2 via the rename function which can be used to rename uploaded PHP code with a png extension to use a php extension. This allows unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server.

Exploits (6)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Md Amanat Ullah (xSwads) · pythonwebappsmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52371

This exploit targets a file upload vulnerability in the Simple File List WordPress plugin (CVE-2020-36847), allowing arbitrary file upload and renaming to achieve remote code execution (RCE). It uploads a PHP payload disguised as an image, renames it to a .php file, and verifies execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Simple File List WordPress Plugin <= 4.2.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target running vulnerable WordPress plugin · Network access to the target
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by ftz7 · poc
https://github.com/ftz7/PoC-CVE-2020-36847-WordPress-Plugin-4.2.2-RCE

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2020-36847, an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the WordPress Simple File List plugin (version 4.2.2). The exploit uploads a malicious PHP file disguised as a PNG, renames it to execute PHP code, and confirms RCE by accessing the uploaded shell.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Simple File List Plugin <= 4.2.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target running vulnerable WordPress Simple File List plugin · Network access to the target
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
github STUB
by HORKimhab · poc
https://github.com/HORKimhab/poc-cve-collection/tree/main/2020/36xxx/CVE-2020-36847.md

The repository contains a markdown file describing CVE-2020-36847, a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in the Simple File List WordPress plugin (versions ≤4.2.2). The file outlines the vulnerability's impact but lacks exploit code or technical details for exploitation.

Classification
Stub 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Simple File List WordPress Plugin ≤4.2.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Plugin must allow file uploads with controllable filenames · Attacker must upload a malicious PHP file disguised as a PNG · Rename functionality must be accessible to unauthenticated users
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Jul 10, 2026 Full analysis →
vulncheck_xdb WORKING POC
remote
https://github.com/0xGunrunner/CVE-2025-34085

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2025-34085 (duplicate of CVE-2020-36847), targeting WordPress Simple File List plugin versions ≤ 4.2.2. The exploit uploads a malicious PHP file disguised as a PNG, renames it to a PHP extension, and executes arbitrary commands.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Simple File List plugin ≤ 4.2.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress site with vulnerable Simple File List plugin installed
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Jun 24, 2026 Full analysis →
vulncheck_xdb WORKING POC
remote
https://github.com/137f/PoC-CVE-2020-36847-WordPress-Plugin-4.2.2-RCE

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2020-36847, targeting the WordPress Simple File List plugin (version 4.2.2). The exploit demonstrates arbitrary file upload leading to remote code execution (RCE) by uploading a malicious PHP file disguised as an image and renaming it to execute on the server.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Simple File List Plugin 4.2.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target running vulnerable WordPress Simple File List plugin · Access to the plugin's upload and rename endpoints
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Jun 24, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC GOOD
by coiffeur, h00die · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/wp_simple_file_list_rce.rb

This Metasploit module exploits an unauthenticated file upload vulnerability in the WordPress Simple File List plugin (CVE-2020-36847). It uploads a malicious PHP payload disguised as a PNG file, renames it to a PHP file, and executes it to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Simple File List plugin before 4.2.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable WordPress Simple File List plugin installed and accessible
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.1804
EPSS Percentile 96.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2026-06-23
CWE
CWE-434
Status published
Products (2)
eemitch/Simple File List < 4.2.3
simplefilelist/simple_file_list < 4.2.3
Published Jul 12, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026