IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2020-8644|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

PlaySMS Server-Side Template Injection Vulnerability

PlaySMS contains a server-side template injection vulnerability that allows for remote code execution.

Published Feb 5, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in PlaySMS PlaySMS. PlaySMS before 1.4.3 does not sanitize inputs from a malicious string. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running playsms: v < 1.4.3
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157106/PlaySMS-index.php-Unauthenticated-Template-Injection-Code-Execution.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://forum.playsms.org/t/playsms-1-4-3-has-been-released/2704
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8644
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-8644
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