How severe is CVE-2020-36721?

CVE-2020-36721 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2020-36721 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-36721?

CVE-2020-36721 primarily affects Colorlib Activello. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-36721?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-36721 published?

CVE-2020-36721 was published on 2023-06-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-36721

Q: What is CVE-2020-36721?

The Brilliance <= 1.2.7, Activello <= 1.4.0, and Newspaper X <= 1.3.1 themes for WordPress are vulnerable to Plugin Activation/Deactivation. This is due to the 'activello_activate_plugin' and 'activello_deactivate_plugin' functions in the 'inc/welcome-screen/class-activello-welcome.php' file missing capability and security checks/nonces. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to activate and deactivate arbitrary plugins installed on a vulnerable site.

CVE-2020-36721 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Colorlib Activello with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5. 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-284.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Colorlib Activello
Published: 2023-06-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Brilliance <= 1.2.7, Activello <= 1.4.0, and Newspaper X <= 1.3.1 themes for WordPress are vulnerable to Plugin Activation/Deactivation. This is due to the 'activello_activate_plugin' and 'activello_deactivate_plugin' functions in the 'inc/welcome-screen/class-activello-welcome.php' file missing capability and security checks/nonces. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to activate and deactivate arbitrary plugins installed on a vulnerable site.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-36721?: The Brilliance <= 1.2.7, Activello <= 1.4.0, and Newspaper X <= 1.3.1 themes for WordPress are vulnerable to Plugin Activation/Deactivation. This is due to the 'activello_activate_plugin' and 'activello_deactivate_plugin' functions in the 'inc/welcome-screen/class-activello-welcome.php' file missing capability and security checks/nonces. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to activate and deactivate arbitrary plugins installed on a vulnerable site.
How severe is CVE-2020-36721?: CVE-2020-36721 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2020-36721 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-36721?: CVE-2020-36721 primarily affects Colorlib Activello. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-36721?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-36721 published?: CVE-2020-36721 was published on 2023-06-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (15)

cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:activello:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:bonkers:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:illdy:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:newspaper_x:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:pixova_lite:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:colorlib:shapely:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cpothemes:affluent:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cpothemes:allegiant:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cpothemes:brilliance:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cpothemes:transcend:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:machothemes:antreas:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:machothemes:medzone_lite:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:machothemes:naturemag_lite:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:machothemes:newsmag:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:machothemes:regina_lite:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*

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