# CVE-2020-13640: gVectors wpDiscuz - SQLi

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2020-13640 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-13640

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 9.8
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** gVectors wpDiscuz
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'))
- **Tags:** cms

## Description

A SQL injection issue in the gVectors wpDiscuz plugin 5.3.5 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the order parameter of a wpdLoadMoreComments request. (No 7.x versions are affected.)

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2020-13640](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2020-13640) is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the gVectors wpDiscuz plugin for WordPress versions 5.3.5 and earlier, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the order parameter in wpdLoadMoreComments requests. This flaw could be exploited to compromise database integrity, steal sensitive information, or escalate privileges on affected WordPress sites.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 15th of October 2025.

Data from the CrowdSec community indicates that exploitation of CVE-2020-13640 is highly selective and intelligence-driven. Threat actors use advanced reconnaissance and carefully choose their targets, often as part of sophisticated campaigns or advanced persistent threat operations.
Data from the CrowdSec community also indicates a gradual decrease in attacks targeting CVE-2020-13640. While still present in the wild, exploitation levels have dropped noticeably week-over-week. This may signal that the vulnerability is becoming less relevant or that defenses are improving fast enough for attackers to lose interest.

Attackers exploit the `/wp-content/plugins/wpdiscuz/utils/ajax/wpdiscuz-ajax.php` endpoint by injecting malicious SQL code into the `order` parameter of `wpdLoadMoreComments` POST requests.

## Timeline

- 2020-06-18: CVE Published. CVE-2020-13640 is published to NVD.
- 2025-10-15: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2020-13640 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-10-24: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2020-13640 for the first time.

## References

- https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpdiscuz/#developers
- https://wpdiscuz.com/community/news/security-vulnerability-issue-in-5-3-5-please-udate/
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/07/06/1
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-13640.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-13640) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2020-13640. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.