CVE-2018-13415

CVE-2018-13415 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Plex Media Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 32% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-611.

Key facts

Description

In Plex Media Server 1.13.2.5154, the XML parsing engine for SSDP/UPnP functionality is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Processing (XXE) attack. Remote, unauthenticated attackers can use this vulnerability to: (1) Access arbitrary files from the filesystem with the same permission as the user account running Plex, (2) Initiate SMB connections to capture a NetNTLM challenge/response and crack to cleartext password, or (3) Initiate SMB connections to relay a NetNTLM challenge/response and achieve Remote Command Execution in Windows domains.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-13415?
In Plex Media Server 1.13.2.5154, the XML parsing engine for SSDP/UPnP functionality is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Processing (XXE) attack. Remote, unauthenticated attackers can use this vulnerability to: (1) Access arbitrary files from the filesystem with the same permission as the user account running Plex, (2) Initiate SMB connections to capture a NetNTLM challenge/response and crack to cleartext password, or (3) Initiate SMB connections to relay a NetNTLM challenge/response and achieve Remote Command Execution in Windows domains.
How severe is CVE-2018-13415?
CVE-2018-13415 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-13415 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 32% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-13415?
CVE-2018-13415 affects Plex Media Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-13415?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-13415 published?
CVE-2018-13415 was published on 2018-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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