---
title: "CVE-2026-96652: Plex Media Server Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-96652/
description: "CVE-2026-96652 (Plex Media Server): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows SSRF via '/player/timeline'. An attacker…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-09-23
date_modified: 2026-10-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-96652"
kev: true
cvss: 5.3
epss: 0.00423
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-96652: Plex Media Server Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run Plex Media Server. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-10-20, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-11-03 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 0.4% , percentile 35: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.4% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 35% of all scored CVEs (low). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
- Editorial verdict: Act now. Plex2Shell: Exploited RCE Chain in Plex Media Server — A public proof of concept chains four Plex bugs into code execution without credentials, and attackers have used it since October 17: update any internet-reachable server now, then check it for a miner or proxy.

## What it is

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.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Plex Media Server: < 1.43.3.10861

## Severity

- cisa-cg CVSS 3.1: 4.3 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N`
- cisa-cg CVSS 4.0: 5.3 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2026-10-20; federal due date 2026-11-03. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- 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.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable no , technical impact partial .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.42% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 35.

## Sources

- [url](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (forums.plex.tv)](https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-96652](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96652)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-96652](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96652)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96652)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov)](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov)](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk)
- [url](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json)
- [url](https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-96652/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt