Plex Media Server: URL injection allows calling other plugins' functions
Deadline for US federal agencies: 23 Oct 2026
Summary
Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 does not correctly neutralize URL values in the 'searchOne' handling. An attacker can call functions of other plugins and supply their own parameters. This CVE is one of four flaws in the 'Plex2Shell' chain, in which it acts as a loopback pivot, and CISA lists it as known exploited. Internet-facing servers are the main concern.
Affected
- Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861
Fixed in
- Plex Media Server 1.43.3.10861 and later (vendor fix)
Workaround
- No official workaround is known. Update to 1.43.3.10861 or later.
- Limit direct internet exposure of the server (for example, place it behind a VPN) until it is patched and checked.
Exploitation
- CISA lists the CVE as known exploited (added 20 October 2026).
- Plex says attackers are breaking into internet-facing servers that have not been updated.
- A public proof of concept exists for the chain. Its entry point is CVE-2026-96652, an unauthenticated SSRF; this CVE is exploited as a chain member, not as a standalone entry point.
- Reported misuse includes cryptocurrency miners and proxy software.
Our recommendation
- Update Plex Media Server to 1.43.3.10861 or later now.
- Check internet-exposed servers for compromise, including unknown processes, unknown files in the Plex Codecs folder and unexpected transcoder options.
- Restrict internet access to the server until it is patched and checked.
- Patch all four CVEs of the Plex2Shell chain, not only this one.
- Monitor the server for unusual outbound connections and processes.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE Record CVE-2026-96654 www.cve.org
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog www.cisa.gov
- CISA alert: known exploited vulnerabilities added, 20 October 2026 www.cisa.gov
- CISA CSAF advisory VA-26-266-01 raw.githubusercontent.com
- Plex Forum: Important Security Update for Plex Media Server v1.43.2 and earlier forums.plex.tv
- BetaNews: Plex exploitation active betanews.com
- Researcher repository plex2shell github.com
- Researcher write-up zmain.info zmain.info
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, 13:46.
Original description (NVD)
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.
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-2026-96654
- https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96654
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.
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