How severe is CVE-2020-28036?

CVE-2020-28036 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-28036 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-28036?

CVE-2020-28036 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-28036?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-28036 published?

CVE-2020-28036 was published on 2020-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-28036

CVE-2020-28036 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Wordpress with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-862.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-862
Affected product: Wordpress
Published: 2020-11-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

wp-includes/class-wp-xmlrpc-server.php in WordPress before 5.5.2 allows attackers to gain privileges by using XML-RPC to comment on a post.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-28036?: wp-includes/class-wp-xmlrpc-server.php in WordPress before 5.5.2 allows attackers to gain privileges by using XML-RPC to comment on a post.
How severe is CVE-2020-28036?: CVE-2020-28036 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-28036 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-28036?: CVE-2020-28036 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-28036?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-28036 published?: CVE-2020-28036 was published on 2020-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:wordpress:wordpress:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

64.202.190.35 (ipv4-addr)
157.230.98.178 (ipv4-addr)
50.116.56.156 (ipv4-addr)
45.42.162.162 (ipv4-addr)
192.250.232.142 (ipv4-addr)
47.253.49.176 (ipv4-addr)