CVE-2026-96654: Plex Media Server Improper Neutralization of Encoded URI Schemes in a Web Page Vulnerability
Plex · Media Server · NVD published 2026-09-23 · posted 2026-10-21 · last modified 2026-10-21
What it is
Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 does not correctly neutralize URL values included in 'searchOne,' allowing an attacker to call other plugins' functions and supply their own parameters.
| Weakness | CWE-84 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X (source: 9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725) |
| CISA due date | 2026-10-23 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone) |
| ATT&CK tactics | n/a |
Step-by-step fix guide: How to fix CVE-2026-96654: Plex Media Server (exploited in the wild)
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2026-10-20 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
- CISA KEV: listed since 2026-10-20. Source
Sources: CISA KEV.
No ATT&CK techniques could be mapped or inferred for this CVE yet.
How to fix it
CISA required action
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines. (source: CISA KEV)
Fixed versions
- plex media server: upgrade to 1.43.3.10861 or later
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319 (CISA KEV notes)
- https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711 (Release Notes)
Detection Generic guidance
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.
Sources
- NVD: CVE-2026-96654
- CVE.org record
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- FIRST EPSS (2026-10-24)
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json (Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96654 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell (Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96654 (US Government Resource)