CVE-2026-78285 Overview
CVE-2026-78285 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the Like Button Rating plugin for WordPress in versions up to and including 2.6.61. The flaw allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level privileges to inject malicious SQL statements into database queries. Because the WordPress Subscriber role is available to any registered user, the barrier to exploitation is low on sites that permit user registration. The issue is tracked under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Public technical details are published in the Patchstack advisory.
Critical Impact
Authenticated Subscriber-level attackers can execute arbitrary SQL statements against the WordPress database, exposing sensitive data across the site.
Affected Products
- Like Button Rating (likebtn-like-button) WordPress plugin versions <= 2.6.61
- WordPress sites that install the plugin and allow user registration
- Multi-site WordPress deployments sharing the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-27 - CVE-2026-78285 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-08-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-78285
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability originates in the Like Button Rating plugin's handling of user-supplied input within SQL queries. Input from an authenticated request is concatenated into a query without adequate sanitization or parameterization. An attacker holding a Subscriber account can craft input that alters the query's logic and structure. The result is arbitrary SQL execution in the context of the WordPress database user.
The scope change indicated by the CVSS vector reflects that a successful attack impacts resources beyond the plugin itself. Exploitation reads confidential data from tables such as wp_users and wp_usermeta, including password hashes and session tokens. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The plugin builds SQL statements by concatenating request parameters instead of using the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API with placeholders. Any request parameter reaching the vulnerable query path can carry SQL metacharacters that break out of the intended query structure.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated session at the Subscriber level, which is the lowest privileged WordPress role. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a plugin endpoint that accepts input used in a database query. By injecting SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT clauses or time-based payloads, the attacker exfiltrates data or infers it through boolean and timing side channels. No user interaction is required to complete the attack.
A public proof-of-concept has not been released. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-78285
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Like Button Rating plugin endpoints containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or encoded variants in query strings or POST bodies.
- Unexpected outbound queries or slow response times correlated with plugin request URIs under /wp-content/plugins/likebtn-like-button/.
- New or modified rows in wp_users or wp_options shortly after authenticated Subscriber activity.
- Access log entries from low-privilege user sessions hitting AJAX or REST endpoints owned by the plugin.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin's request paths.
- Enable WordPress query logging or database audit logging and alert on queries containing unusual UNION or nested subselects originating from plugin code.
- Correlate Subscriber-level authenticated sessions with abnormal request volume to plugin endpoints.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress, web server, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation.
- Track newly registered Subscriber accounts and their request patterns for the first 24 hours after signup.
- Monitor for privilege changes on WordPress user accounts, particularly promotions from Subscriber to Administrator.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-78285
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Like Button Rating plugin to a version later than 2.6.61 once the vendor publishes a fix, as noted in the Patchstack advisory.
- Disable open user registration or restrict the default role if the plugin cannot be updated immediately.
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords, secret keys in wp-config.php, and any API tokens that share the database.
- Audit wp_users for unexpected accounts and role changes across the retention window.
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack vulnerability record for the latest patched version and vendor guidance. Apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager or via WP-CLI on all affected sites.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Like Button Rating plugin until a patched version is confirmed.
- Deploy a virtual patch through a WAF that blocks SQL metacharacters on the plugin's request URIs.
- Restrict access to plugin endpoints using web server rules that require higher-privileged authentication.
# Update or remove the vulnerable plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin update likebtn-like-button --version=latest
# If no patched version is available, deactivate and delete the plugin
wp plugin deactivate likebtn-like-button
wp plugin delete likebtn-like-button
# Disable open registration as a temporary mitigation
wp option update users_can_register 0
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
