CVE-2024-44064 in Like Button Rating Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in LikeBtn Like Button Rating likebtn-like-button.This issue affects Like Button Rating: from n/a through <= 2.6.53.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44064 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the LikeBtn Like Button Rating plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through version 2.6.53. This weakness falls under the well-established CWE-79 category for improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic XSS vulnerability that poses significant security risks to web applications utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently reflected in dynamically generated web content without proper encoding or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through various parameters that are then incorporated into HTML output without appropriate security measures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that, when processed by the plugin, gets embedded into web pages served to other users. This allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of the victim's browser, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically affects the web page generation process where user-controllable data is directly interpolated into HTML content without proper HTML entity encoding or input validation.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the user experience and potentially compromise entire user sessions. When users visit web pages containing the vulnerable plugin, their browsers execute the malicious scripts embedded within the improperly sanitized input, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users simultaneously. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that like buttons are commonly integrated into various website types, from blogs to e-commerce platforms, making the potential impact widespread across different web applications and user bases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.6.54 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing interfaces, ensuring that any data entering the system undergoes proper sanitization before being rendered in web pages. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins and components. Additionally, administrators should monitor plugin repositories for security updates and maintain comprehensive logging of user interactions to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape these XSS vulnerabilities create. The remediation process should also include educating development teams about secure coding practices and establishing automated security scanning processes for plugin integration.