---
id: "CVE-2026-96652"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96652"]
title: "Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows SSRF via '/player/timeline'"
severity: "high"
cvss: 5.3
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "runtime"
products: [{"name": "Plex Media Server", "fixed": ["1.43.3.10861"], "affected": "< 1.43.3.10861", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "Plex Media Server", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["docker", "exploited", "nas", "plex-media-server", "plex2shell", "rce-chain", "runtime", "self-hosted", "ssrf", "vendor"]
not_affected_if: []
published_at: "2026-09-23T17:17:23+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-24T00:09:50+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-96652", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:33:57+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96652", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00"}]
---

# Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows SSRF via '/player/timeline'

Plex Media Server has a server-side request forgery flaw in its 'protocol' parameter. An attacker who supplies any X-Plex-Token value can make the server POST to a destination of their choice, and the flaw is listed as chainable with CVE-2026-96654, CVE-2026-96655 and CVE-2026-96656.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Plex Media Server affected < 1.43.3.10861 fixed 1.43.3.10861
- vendor:Plex Media Server affected ? fixed ?

## How to check

Check the Plex Media Server version; affected builds are those below 1.43.3.10861.

## Fix

Update Plex Media Server to 1.43.3.10861 or later. CISA BOD 26-04 guidance applies; if no mitigation is available, discontinue use of the product.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-96652
- 2026-10-23T21:33:57+00:00 analyst — Plex forum notice (updated 2026-10-19) and the CVE record give the affected range as < 1.43.3.10861, fixed in 1.43.3.10861. Plex confirms active exploitation and a public PoC (2026-10-16). Censys supplies the exposure data. I did not save the PoC link or any social posts, so the PoC URL is not linked. Check Point lists '1.43.0.10861', which looks like a typo. Severity stays high because of KEV listing and the chain. CVSS is 4.3 or 5.3 on its own.
- 2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96652

## Documents

- [advisory] Plex: Important Security Update for Plex Media Server v1.43.2 and earlier https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319
- [advisory] CVE Record CVE-2026-96652 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96652
- [advisory] CISA adds six KEVs (Oct 20, 2026) https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/10/20/cisa-adds-six-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
- [describes] Censys advisory: Plex Media Server RCE chain https://censys.com/advisory/cve-2026-96652-cve-2026-96654-cve-2026-96655-cve-2026-96656/
- [describes] CISA: Hackers chain Plex flaws in Plex2Shell attacks to breach servers https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-hackers-chain-plex-flaws-in-plex2shell-attacks-to-breach-servers/
- [fix] Plex: Important Security Update for Plex Media Server v1.43.2 and earlier https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319

## From the sources

Plex Media Server contains a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability which could allow an attacker using any X-Plex-Token value to include a full URL in the 'protocol' parameter and force the Plex server to POST to the attacker's chosen destination. This vulnerability can be chained with CVE-2026-96654, CVE-2026-96655, and CVE-2026-96656.

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.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_