# CVE-2020-36836: WP Fastest Cache - Arbitrary File Deletion

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2020-36836 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-2020-36836

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 8.8
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Emrevona WP Fastest Cache
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)); CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'))
- **Tags:** wordpress

## Description

The WP Fastest Cache plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary file deletion in versions up to, and including, 0.9.0.2 due to a lack of capability checking and insufficient path validation. This makes it possible for authenticated users with minimal permissions to delete arbitrary files from the server.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2020-36836](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2020-36836) is a vulnerability in the WP Fastest Cache plugin for WordPress that allows authenticated users with minimal permissions to delete arbitrary files from the server due to insufficient capability checks and path validation. This flaw could be exploited to disrupt website functionality, delete critical files, or facilitate further attacks on the affected WordPress installation.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 24th of September 2025.

According to CrowdSec data, while opportunistic exploitation dominates, a portion of threat actors trying to exploit CVE-2020-36836 apply basic targeting methods such as port or service detection. This indicates emerging patterns of selective targeting.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2020-36836 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit authenticated sessions to send crafted POST requests to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with the `action=wpfc_delete_current_page_cache` parameter and a manipulated `path` value, enabling arbitrary file deletion within the WordPress installation.

## Timeline

- 2024-10-16: CVE Published. CVE-2020-36836 is published to NVD.
- 2025-09-24: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2020-36836 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2026-03-03: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2020-36836 for the first time.

## References

- https://wearetradecraft.com/advisories/tc-2020-0001/
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-36836.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-36836) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2020-36836. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.