Plex Media Server: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) in /player/timeline
Deadline for US federal agencies: 3 Nov 2026
Summary
Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 contains a Server-Side Request Forgery in the /player/timeline endpoint. Any client that supplies any X-Plex-Token value can put a full URL in the protocol parameter and make the server send a POST request to a destination of the attacker's choice. The flaw is the first step of an exploit chain that leads to code execution, and it is actively exploited and listed in CISA KEV. Internet-exposed servers are at greatest risk.
Affected
- Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861
Fixed in
- Plex Media Server 1.43.3.10861 or later
Workaround
- No vendor-approved workaround for the flaw itself is known.
- Remove direct internet exposure of the Plex web interface until patched, because the SSRF only requires network reachability.
Exploitation
- CISA KEV: known exploited, added 20 October 2026.
- Public proof-of-concept code exists for the exploit chain that includes this flaw.
- Reported abuse includes cryptominers and proxy software; the number of affected servers is unknown.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all Plex Media Server instances, including NAS and Docker deployments, and record the build number.
- Update every instance below 1.43.3.10861 to 1.43.3.10861 or later.
- Remove direct internet exposure of the Plex port until patched.
- For internet-exposed servers that ran older builds, check for unfamiliar processes and suspicious outbound connections, rotate Plex credentials and review the Plex account. Consider rebuilding if compromise is suspected.
Public exploits
Links to third-party sites, not checked by us – exploit code can contain malware. Only use it in isolated test environments.
- Proof of concept on GitHub (7 repositories)
gmh5225/plex2shell · code-zm/plex2shell · ChrisLPJones/plex2shell-check · w116tjb/plex2shell-windows-hunt · basesixtythree/B63-POC-CVE-2026-96652
Research sources
- CVE Record CVE-2026-96652 www.cve.org
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog www.cisa.gov
- CISA CSAF Vulnerability Advisory VA-26-266-01 raw.githubusercontent.com
- Plex security notice: Important Security Update for Plex Media Server v1.43.2 and earlier forums.plex.tv
- Write-up by Zach Main (plex2shell) zmain.info
- ZeroHunt: Plex Media Server CVE-2026-96652 SSRF to RCE chain zerohunt.ai
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 30 Oct 2026, 13:48.
Original description (NVD)
Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows SSRF via '/player/timeline'. An attacker using any X-Plex-Token value can include a full URL in the 'protocol' parameter and force the Plex server to POST to the attacker's chosen destination.
Required action (CISA)
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.
NVD references (5)
- https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96652
- https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96652
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.