CVE-2020-36721

Name: CVE-2020-36721
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-06-07T02:15:12.297+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5/10EPSS 0.98%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-36721 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.5/10 on the CVSS scale. 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. EPSS estimates a 0.98% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L

EPSS Probability

0.98%

57.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Colorlib	Activello	< 1.4.2
Colorlib	Bonkers	< 1.0.6
Colorlib	Illdy	< 2.1.7
Colorlib	Newspaper X	< 1.3.2
Colorlib	Pixova Lite	< 2.0.7
Colorlib	Shapely	< 1.2.9
Cpothemes	Affluent	< 1.1.2
Cpothemes	Allegiant	< 1.2.6
Cpothemes	Brilliance	< 1.3.0
Cpothemes	Transcend	< 1.2.0
Machothemes	Antreas	< 1.0.7
Machothemes	Medzone Lite	< 1.2.6
Machothemes	Naturemag Lite	<= 1.0.4
Machothemes	Newsmag	< 2.4.2
Machothemes	Regina Lite	< 2.0.6

References

https://blog.nintechnet.com/unauthenticated-function-injection-vulnerability-fixed-in-15-wordpress-themes/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/themes/activello/Product
https://wordpress.org/themes/brilliance/Product
https://wordpress.org/themes/newspaper-x/Product
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a9e4e989-8e55-4ea7-8f42-9f67cfab1168?source=cveThird Party Advisory
https://blog.nintechnet.com/unauthenticated-function-injection-vulnerability-fixed-in-15-wordpress-themes/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/themes/activello/Product
https://wordpress.org/themes/brilliance/Product
https://wordpress.org/themes/newspaper-x/Product
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a9e4e989-8e55-4ea7-8f42-9f67cfab1168?source=cveThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 7, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-36721?

How severe is CVE-2020-36721?

CVE-2020-36721 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-36721?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-36721?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST