CVE-2026-89296 in Pro Like Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
The Pro Like Button WordPress plugin before 2.0 does not properly sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL query, allowing unauthenticated users to perform SQL injection attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Pro Like Button WordPress plugin prior to version 2.0 represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into Structured Query Language statements executed against the backend database. This architectural oversight creates an opening for unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the query structure. Because the vulnerability does not require any form of authentication, it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for exploitation, allowing any internet user with basic knowledge of web technologies and network tools to interact with the vulnerable endpoint and manipulate database operations remotely.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-89, which denotes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The absence of prepared statements or parameterized queries means that user input is treated as executable code rather than data by the database engine. An attacker can exploit this by injecting payloads designed to alter the logic of the original query. Depending on the configuration and capabilities granted to the database user account running the web application, successful exploitation could lead to a range of severe outcomes including unauthorized access to sensitive information such as administrator credentials or personal user data, modification or deletion of site content, and potentially achieving remote code execution if the underlying database system allows for file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise. It undermines the integrity and confidentiality guarantees provided by the Content Management System framework. Attackers can use blind SQL injection techniques to extract information character by character or boolean-based logic to infer database structure without triggering obvious error messages, thereby evading basic detection mechanisms. This persistence allows for long-term unauthorized access even after initial discovery if not promptly addressed. Furthermore, compromised WordPress installations are frequently leveraged as part of larger botnets for distributed denial-of-service attacks or used to distribute malware to unsuspecting visitors through injected scripts, amplifying the risk to end-users and site administrators alike.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation followed by ongoing security hygiene practices. The primary corrective action is to upgrade the Pro Like Button plugin to version 2.0 or later, where these sanitization issues have been resolved according to developer patches. For organizations unable to update immediately due to compatibility constraints, applying a web application firewall rule that detects and blocks common SQL injection patterns targeting this specific parameter can provide temporary protection. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for the database user account associated with the WordPress installation limits the potential damage an attacker could inflict even if exploitation succeeds. Regular security audits and adherence to secure coding standards such as OWASP Top Ten guidelines are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom or third-party plugins within the ecosystem.