# CVE-2020-36847: Simple File List < 4.2.3 - Remote Code Execution

> Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server by renaming uploaded files to PHP extensions.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 12 Jul 2025
- **Updated:** 8 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** CVE-2025-34085, GHSA-34hm-qhxq-8vfv

## What is CVE-2020-36847?

CVE-2020-36847 is a critical vulnerability in eemitch Simple File List, published on 12 Jul 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-36847?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Simplefilelist Simple File List.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-36847?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-36847 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-36847 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-36847 exists.

Public exploit code:

- WordPress Simple File List Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (metasploit)
- Simple File List WordPress Plugin 4.2.2 - File Upload to RCE (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in eemitch Simple File List

- [CVE-2023-39924](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39924/): WordPress Simple File List Plugin <= 6.1.9 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) (medium 5.9)
- [CVE-2024-10146](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-10146/): Simple File List < 6.1.13 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (medium 5.4)
- [CVE-2023-1025](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-1025/): Simple File List < 6.0.10 - Admin+ Stored XSS (medium 4.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-36847 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-36847 is a critical vulnerability in eemitch Simple File List, published on 12 Jul 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-36847 exists.

Affected product: eemitch Simple File List. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-36847/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-36847/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-36847
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36847
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-36847

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-36847/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.