Once the shell is up, anyone who finds the URL has code execution on the server, because that's what a webshell is. Using it is a different skill than installing it.
Imagine I figure out how to jackpot your bank's ATMs, and I demonstrate this by setting a public ATM into "press button to receive $20" mode, pressing the button, getting $20, and sending you a letter describing how I did that, with the $20 scrupulously enclosed. Meanwhile, the ATM remains in the state of "press button to receive $20". How happy would you be?
Was it publicly discoverable?
Technically, yes, though realistically you'd have to guess the URL. I would find it pretty funny if one attacker got access somewhere by guessing the URL of a webshell installed by a different, more self-sufficient attacker, but that's not to say it doesn't happen.
Was it publicly exploitable?
Yes; the researcher didn't set up any authentication or anything.