Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-36728 affects the Adning Advertising WordPress plugin through version 1.5.5. An unauthenticated attacker could use path traversal to delete files on the site. Public sources say this can enable a site reset and full takeover, so exposed WordPress sites should treat it as urgent despite the CVSS medium score.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any internet-facing WordPress site using this plugin. The business risk is website takeover, content disruption, and recovery effort, with public reporting of exploitation despite the CVSS medium rating.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-22 path traversal leading to unauthenticated arbitrary file deletion in Adning Advertising <=1.5.5. The CVE lists CVSS 3.1 score 6.5 with network access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. Source material does not provide safe validation details or a fixed version beyond patched-vulnerability references.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running the Adning Advertising plugin, also referenced by its CodeCanyon listing. Confirm all WordPress inventories, backups, and retired sites because exploitation does not require authentication.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV is not listed in the bundle. However, the cited NinTechNet source title states active exploitation in the wild, and Wordfence describes patched critical vulnerabilities. Treat internet-facing vulnerable installations as potentially targeted.
Researcher notes
The bundle clearly identifies unauthenticated path traversal file deletion and takeover potential, but does not include exploit mechanics or exact fixed-version metadata. Avoid assuming broader products are affected; validate only Adning Advertising installations through version 1.5.5.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Adning Advertising to a vendor-supported version newer than 1.5.5, if available.
- Remove or replace the plugin if no trustworthy patched version is available.
- Review Wordfence, NinTechNet, and vendor guidance before restoring the plugin.
- Restore missing files only from known-good backups after compromise review.
- Harden WordPress admin access and rotate credentials if takeover is suspected.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Adning Advertising plugin.
- Confirm whether any installed version is 1.5.5 or earlier.
- Review server logs for suspicious unauthenticated plugin requests around disclosure and current dates.
- Check for unexpected deleted files, new admin accounts, or changed WordPress configuration.
- Verify patched or removed status across production, staging, and backup restores.
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-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. 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 lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-36728 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
- 6.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N3.92.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/e7506429-7f8a-45b5-b1b0-6fdb39599ee5?source=cveCVE reference
- https://blog.nintechnet.com/critical-vulnerability-in-adning-advertising-plugin-actively-exploited-in-the-wild/CVE reference
- https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2020/07/critical-vulnerabilities-patched-in-adning-advertising-plugin/CVE reference
- https://codecanyon.net/item/wp-pro-advertising-system-all-in-one-ad-manager/269693CVE reference
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.