CVE-2020-5741
CVE-2020-5741 is a high-severity vulnerability in Plex Media Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2023-03-10). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-502.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
- CVSS v2: 6.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 73% (99th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2023-03-10)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-26900
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2023-03-10)
- Weakness: CWE-502
- Affected product: Plex Media Server
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Plex Media Server on Windows allows a remote, authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary Python code.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-5741?
- Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Plex Media Server on Windows allows a remote, authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary Python code.
- How severe is CVE-2020-5741?
- CVE-2020-5741 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-5741 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-5741 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2023-03-10, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-5741?
- CVE-2020-5741 affects Plex Media Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-5741?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-5741 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-5741 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-26900. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2023-03-10).
- When was CVE-2020-5741 published?
- CVE-2020-5741 was published on 2020-05-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158470/Plex-Unpickle-Dict-Windows-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-32
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-5741
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:plex:media_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Plex Media Server
- CVE-2018-13415 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Plex Media Server 1.13.2.5154, the XML parsing engine for SSDP/UPnP functionality is vulnerable to an XML External…
- CVE-2020-5742 — High (CVSS 8.8): Improper Access Control in Plex Media Server prior to June 15, 2020 allows any origin to execute cross-origin…
- CVE-2019-19141 — High (CVSS 8.8): The Camera Upload functionality in Plex Media Server through 1.18.2.2029 allows remote authenticated users to write…
- CVE-2025-69414 — High (CVSS 8.5): Plex Media Server (PMS) through 1.42.2.10156 allows retrieval of a permanent access token via a /myplex/account call…
- CVE-2020-5740 — High (CVSS 7.8): Improper Input Validation in Plex Media Server on Windows allows a local, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary…
- CVE-2021-33959 — High (CVSS 7.5): Plex media server 1.21 and before is vulnerable to ddos reflection attack via plex service.
All CVEs affecting Plex Media Server →
Other CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-41104 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Deserialization of untrusted data in Microsoft Planetary Computer Pro allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose…
- CVE-2026-43633 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): HestiaCP versions 1.9.0 through 1.9.4 contain a deserialization vulnerability in the web terminal component caused by a…
- CVE-2026-33819 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Deserialization of untrusted data in Microsoft Bing allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-20131 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could…
- CVE-2026-25632 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): EPyT-Flow is a Python package designed for the easy generation of hydraulic and water quality scenario data of water…
- CVE-2025-14931 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Hugging Face smolagents Remote Python Executor Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.…
Browse all CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) vulnerabilities →