Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects the JetBackup WordPress backup plugin through version 1.4.0. A logged-in low-privilege user, such as a subscriber, could obtain database table information because an AJAX function lacked proper permission checks. It is an information disclosure issue, not described as code execution or site takeover.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate-priority WordPress hygiene issue. It is not reported as actively exploited, but backup plugins handle sensitive operational context. Prioritize sites with public registration, many subscribers, or higher-value databases.
Technical view
CVE-2020-36668 is CWE-200 in JetBackup – WP Backup, Migrate & Restore. The backup_guard_get_manual_modal function, reachable through an AJAX action, lacked proper capability checking. The reported impact is disclosure of database table information to subscriber-level authenticated users and above. CVSS 3.1 is 4.3: AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on WordPress sites using JetBackup – WP Backup, Migrate & Restore version 1.4.0 or earlier, especially where untrusted users can register or hold subscriber-level accounts. Sites without this plugin, without affected versions, or without low-privilege users are less likely to be exposed.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires authenticated WordPress access at subscriber level or higher. The known impact is limited confidentiality exposure of database table information, which may aid reconnaissance but is not itself full compromise.
Researcher notes
The source bundle identifies the vulnerable function and missing capability check, but does not provide enough detail to name a specific fixed version safely. The WordPress changeset reference likely contains remediation context, but this analysis avoids inferring more than the bundle states.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the JetBackup plugin and installed version.
- If version 1.4.0 or earlier is present, upgrade to a vendor-supported fixed release or disable the plugin.
- Review whether public registration or untrusted subscriber accounts are enabled.
- Check vendor and WordPress plugin guidance for the exact corrected release.
- Remove unnecessary low-privilege WordPress accounts on affected sites.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether JetBackup – WP Backup, Migrate & Restore is installed.
- Record plugin versions and flag any at 1.4.0 or earlier.
- Review WordPress users with subscriber-level or higher access.
- Review logs for unusual authenticated AJAX activity against backup plugin functionality.
- After remediation, verify low-privilege users cannot access backup metadata views.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup
Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-36668 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.3MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3e2a9d71-21ef-45a1-99ed-477066ce9620?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2348984%40backup&new=2348984%40backup&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=CVE reference
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3e2a9d71-21ef-45a1-99ed-477066ce9620CVE reference · x_transferred
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.