Unauthenticated rating manipulation via spoofed IP headers
Published Dec 13, 2024 · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Missing authorization in kk Star Ratings 5.4.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cast repeated votes via spoofed IP headers. The visitor-IP resolver prioritizes a client-controlled HTTP header over PHP's REMOTE_ADDR, letting each forged address evade the unique-vote record. The Unique votes based on IP Address setting must be enabled; exploitation changes rating totals without disclosing data or interrupting service.
Summary
What happened
Missing authorization in kk Star Ratings 5.4.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to cast repeated votes via spoofed IP headers. The visitor-IP resolver prioritizes a client-controlled HTTP header over PHP's REMOTE_ADDR, letting each forged address evade the unique-vote record. The Unique votes based on IP Address setting must be enabled; exploitation changes rating totals without disclosing data or interrupting service.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-36528
- Published
- Dec 13, 2024
- Updated
- Apr 28, 2026
- Vendor
- ProfilePress Membership Team
- Product
- kk Star Ratings
- Classifications
- CWE-862, CAPEC-180, T1565.001
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 13, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 28, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=n/a <=5.4.3 changes=[{"at":"5.4.4","status":"unaffected"}]
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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