CVE-2026-96656 (GCVE-0-2026-96656)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5
Published
2026-09-23 16:07
Modified
2026-10-21 03:56
CWE
  • CWE-73 - External Control of File Name or Path
Summary
Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. The preference TranscoderH264Options is appended verbatim to x264's option string on every transcode. At startup, all .so files are run without signature, execute bit, or symbol checks.
Impacted products
Vendor Product Version
Plex Media Server Version: 0   < 1.43.3.10861
Create a notification for this product.
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Data from the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

Date added: 2026-10-20

Due date: 2026-10-23

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.

Used in ransomware: Unknown

Notes: https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319 ; ; BOD 26-04: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; Forensics Triage Requirements: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96656

Show details on NVD website


{
  "containers": {
    "adp": [
      {
        "metrics": [
          {
            "other": {
              "content": {
                "id": "CVE-2026-96656",
                "options": [
                  {
                    "Exploitation": "active"
                  },
                  {
                    "Automatable": "no"
                  },
                  {
                    "Technical Impact": "total"
                  }
                ],
                "role": "CISA Coordinator",
                "timestamp": "2026-10-19T00:00:00+00:00",
                "version": "2.0.3"
              },
              "type": "ssvc"
            }
          },
          {
            "other": {
              "content": {
                "dateAdded": "2026-10-20",
                "reference": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96656"
              },
              "type": "kev"
            }
          }
        ],
        "providerMetadata": {
          "dateUpdated": "2026-10-21T03:56:10.489Z",
          "orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
          "shortName": "CISA-ADP"
        },
        "references": [
          {
            "tags": [
              "third-party-advisory"
            ],
            "url": "https://www.boredhackerblog.info/2026/10/plex-vulnerabilities-being-exploited-in.html"
          },
          {
            "tags": [
              "government-resource"
            ],
            "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96656"
          }
        ],
        "timeline": [
          {
            "lang": "en",
            "time": "2026-10-20T00:00:00.000Z",
            "value": "CVE-2026-96656 added to CISA KEV"
          }
        ],
        "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment"
      }
    ],
    "cna": {
      "affected": [
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unknown",
          "product": "Media Server",
          "vendor": "Plex",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "1.43.3.10861",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "custom"
            },
            {
              "status": "unaffected",
              "version": "1.43.3.10861"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "credits": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "Zach Main"
        }
      ],
      "datePublic": "2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z",
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. The preference TranscoderH264Options is appended verbatim to x264\u0027s option string on every transcode. At startup, all .so files are run without signature, execute bit, or symbol checks."
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV4_0": {
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "attackRequirements": "NONE",
            "attackVector": "NETWORK",
            "baseScore": 8.6,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
            "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
            "subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
            "subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
            "version": "4.0",
            "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnIntegrityImpact": "HIGH"
          }
        },
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "attackVector": "NETWORK",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "baseScore": 7.2,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
            "scope": "UNCHANGED",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          }
        },
        {
          "other": {
            "content": {
              "id": "CVE-2026-96656",
              "options": [
                {
                  "Exploitation": "none"
                },
                {
                  "Automatable": "no"
                },
                {
                  "Technical Impact": "total"
                }
              ],
              "role": "CISA Coordinator",
              "timestamp": "2026-09-14T18:24:56.053053Z",
              "version": "2.0.3"
            },
            "type": "ssvc"
          }
        }
      ],
      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-73",
              "description": "CWE-73 External Control of File Name or Path",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-09-23T16:07:10.048Z",
        "orgId": "9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725",
        "shortName": "cisa-cg"
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "name": "url",
          "tags": [
            "release-notes"
          ],
          "url": "https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711"
        },
        {
          "name": "url",
          "tags": [
            "vdb-entry"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96656"
        },
        {
          "name": "url",
          "tags": [
            "third-party-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json"
        },
        {
          "name": "url",
          "tags": [
            "third-party-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell"
        }
      ],
      "title": "Plex Media Server arbitrary file write"
    }
  },
  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725",
    "assignerShortName": "cisa-cg",
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-96656",
    "datePublished": "2026-09-23T16:07:10.048Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-09-23T14:42:33.270Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-10-21T03:56:10.489Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2",
  "vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
    "cisa_known_exploited": {
      "cveID": "CVE-2026-96656",
      "cwes": "[\"CWE-73\"]",
      "dateAdded": "2026-10-20",
      "dueDate": "2026-10-23",
      "forensicTriage": "Yes",
      "knownRansomwareCampaignUse": "Unknown",
      "notes": "https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319 ; ; BOD 26-04: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; Forensics Triage Requirements: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96656",
      "product": "Media Server",
      "requiredAction": "Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA\u2019s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA\u2019s \u201cForensics Triage Requirements\u201d (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\u0027s internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.",
      "shortDescription": "Plex Media Server contains an external control of file name or path vulnerability which can allow an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. This vulnerability can be chained with CVE-2026-96652, CVE-2026-96654, and CVE-2026-96655.",
      "vendorProject": "Plex",
      "vulnerabilityName": "Plex Media Server External Control of File Name or Path Vulnerability"
    },
    "vulnrichment": {
      "containers": "{\"adp\": [{\"title\": \"CISA ADP Vulnrichment\", \"metrics\": [{\"other\": {\"type\": \"ssvc\", \"content\": {\"id\": \"CVE-2026-96656\", \"role\": \"CISA Coordinator\", \"options\": [{\"Exploitation\": \"active\"}, {\"Automatable\": \"no\"}, {\"Technical Impact\": \"total\"}], \"version\": \"2.0.3\", \"timestamp\": \"2026-10-20T19:46:34.862476Z\"}}}, {\"other\": {\"type\": \"kev\", \"content\": {\"dateAdded\": \"2026-10-20\", \"reference\": \"https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96656\"}}}], \"references\": [{\"url\": \"https://www.boredhackerblog.info/2026/10/plex-vulnerabilities-being-exploited-in.html\", \"tags\": [\"third-party-advisory\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96656\", \"tags\": [\"government-resource\"]}], \"providerMetadata\": {\"orgId\": \"134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0\", \"shortName\": \"CISA-ADP\", \"dateUpdated\": \"2026-09-23T16:36:16.975Z\"}, \"timeline\": [{\"lang\": \"en\", \"time\": \"2026-10-20T00:00:00.000Z\", \"value\": \"CVE-2026-96656 added to CISA KEV\"}]}], \"cna\": {\"title\": \"Plex Media Server arbitrary file write\", \"credits\": [{\"lang\": \"en\", \"value\": \"Zach Main\"}], \"metrics\": [{\"cvssV4_0\": {\"version\": \"4.0\", \"baseScore\": 8.6, \"attackVector\": \"NETWORK\", \"baseSeverity\": \"HIGH\", \"vectorString\": \"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N\", \"userInteraction\": \"NONE\", \"attackComplexity\": \"LOW\", \"attackRequirements\": \"NONE\", \"privilegesRequired\": \"HIGH\", \"subIntegrityImpact\": \"NONE\", \"vulnIntegrityImpact\": \"HIGH\", \"subAvailabilityImpact\": \"NONE\", \"vulnAvailabilityImpact\": \"HIGH\", \"subConfidentialityImpact\": \"NONE\", \"vulnConfidentialityImpact\": \"HIGH\"}}, {\"cvssV3_1\": {\"scope\": \"UNCHANGED\", \"version\": \"3.1\", \"baseScore\": 7.2, \"attackVector\": \"NETWORK\", \"baseSeverity\": \"HIGH\", \"vectorString\": \"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H\", \"integrityImpact\": \"HIGH\", \"userInteraction\": \"NONE\", \"attackComplexity\": \"LOW\", \"availabilityImpact\": \"HIGH\", \"privilegesRequired\": \"HIGH\", \"confidentialityImpact\": \"HIGH\"}}, {\"other\": {\"type\": \"ssvc\", \"content\": {\"id\": \"CVE-2026-96656\", \"role\": \"CISA Coordinator\", \"options\": [{\"Exploitation\": \"none\"}, {\"Automatable\": \"no\"}, {\"Technical Impact\": \"total\"}], \"version\": \"2.0.3\", \"timestamp\": \"2026-09-14T18:24:56.053053Z\"}}}], \"affected\": [{\"vendor\": \"Plex\", \"product\": \"Media Server\", \"versions\": [{\"status\": \"affected\", \"version\": \"0\", \"lessThan\": \"1.43.3.10861\", \"versionType\": \"custom\"}, {\"status\": \"unaffected\", \"version\": \"1.43.3.10861\"}], \"defaultStatus\": \"unknown\"}], \"datePublic\": \"2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z\", \"references\": [{\"url\": \"https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711\", \"name\": \"url\", \"tags\": [\"release-notes\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96656\", \"name\": \"url\", \"tags\": [\"vdb-entry\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json\", \"name\": \"url\", \"tags\": [\"third-party-advisory\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell\", \"name\": \"url\", \"tags\": [\"third-party-advisory\"]}], \"descriptions\": [{\"lang\": \"en\", \"value\": \"Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. The preference TranscoderH264Options is appended verbatim to x264\u0027s option string on every transcode. At startup, all .so files are run without signature, execute bit, or symbol checks.\"}], \"problemTypes\": [{\"descriptions\": [{\"lang\": \"en\", \"type\": \"CWE\", \"cweId\": \"CWE-73\", \"description\": \"CWE-73 External Control of File Name or Path\"}]}], \"providerMetadata\": {\"orgId\": \"9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725\", \"shortName\": \"cisa-cg\", \"dateUpdated\": \"2026-09-23T16:07:10.048Z\"}}}",
      "cveMetadata": "{\"cveId\": \"CVE-2026-96656\", \"state\": \"PUBLISHED\", \"dateUpdated\": \"2026-10-21T03:56:10.489Z\", \"dateReserved\": \"2026-09-23T14:42:33.270Z\", \"assignerOrgId\": \"9119a7d8-5eab-497f-8521-727c672e3725\", \"datePublished\": \"2026-09-23T16:07:10.048Z\", \"assignerShortName\": \"cisa-cg\"}",
      "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
      "dataVersion": "5.2"
    }
  }
}


Log in or create an account to share your comment.




Tags
Taxonomy of the tags.


Loading…

Loading…

Loading…

Sightings

Author Source Type Date

Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or seen somewhere by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability is confirmed from an analyst perspective.
  • Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
  • Exploited: This vulnerability was exploited and seen by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Patched: This vulnerability was successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Not exploited: This vulnerability was not exploited or seen by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expresses doubt about the veracity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: This vulnerability was not successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.


Loading…

Loading…