8.7
HIGH CVSS 4.0
CVE-2020-36973
PDW File Browser 1.3 - Remote Code Execution
Description

PDW File Browser 1.3 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated users to upload and rename webshell files to arbitrary web server locations. Attackers can upload a .txt webshell, rename it to .php, and move it to accessible directories using double-encoded path traversal techniques.

INFO

Published Date :

Jan. 28, 2026, 6:16 p.m.

Last Modified :

Jan. 28, 2026, 10:15 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

Yes !
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2020-36973 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM [email protected]
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM MITRE-CVE
CVSS 4.0 HIGH 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10
CVSS 4.0 HIGH [email protected]
Solution
Restrict file uploads and disable renaming of web shell files to prevent arbitrary code execution.
  • Apply vendor patches or updates immediately.
  • Validate and sanitize all user-supplied file names.
  • Implement strict access controls for file uploads.
  • Disable the ability to rename uploaded files.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2020-36973.

URL Resource
https://github.com/michalc/PDW-File-Browser
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48987
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/pdw-file-browser-remote-code-execution
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48987
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-36973 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2020-36973 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2020-36973 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2020-36973 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    Jan. 28, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48987
  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Jan. 28, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description PDW File Browser 1.3 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated users to upload and rename webshell files to arbitrary web server locations. Attackers can upload a .txt webshell, rename it to .php, and move it to accessible directories using double-encoded path traversal techniques.
    Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
    Added CWE CWE-434
    Added Reference https://github.com/michalc/PDW-File-Browser
    Added Reference https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48987
    Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/pdw-file-browser-remote-code-execution
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 8.7
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Attack Requirements
Privileges Required
User Interaction
VS Confidentiality
VS Integrity
VS Availability
SS Confidentiality
SS Integrity
SS Availability
Base CVSS Score: 6.5
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality Impact
Integrity Impact
Availability Impact