CVE-2026-96656: Plex Media Server External Control of File Name or Path Vulnerability

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.

VendorPlex
ProductMedia Server
Date added to KEV2026-10-20
Due date (BOD 22-01)2026-10-23
Known ransomware campaign useUnknown
CWECWE-73
Required actionApply 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.

What to do

  1. Identify every instance of Plex Media Server in your environment (asset inventory, EDR, vulnerability scanner).
  2. Apply CISA's 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.
  3. Federal civilian agencies must act by 2026-10-23 under BOD 22-01; other organizations can use the same date as a target.
  4. Check the vendor advisory and NVD entry linked below for affected versions, then record the fix in your change log.

Patching one CVE is step one. Harden your cloud identity baseline too: Free M365 & Google Workspace hardening checklist (Runbook Foundry).

Sources

Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Not affiliated with or endorsed by CISA. Facts come from the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (public domain).