How severe is CVE-2026-96656?

CVE-2026-96656 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-2026-96656 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-96656?

CVE-2026-96656 affects Plex Media Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-96656?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2026-96656 published?

CVE-2026-96656 was published on 2026-09-23 and last updated on 2026-09-29.

CVE-2026-96656

CVE-2026-96656 is a high-severity vulnerability in Plex Media Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-73.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v4: 8.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (32nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-73
Affected product: Plex Media Server
Published: 2026-09-23
Last modified: 2026-09-29

Description

Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. The preference TranscoderH264Options is appended verbatim to x264's option string on every transcode. At startup, all .so files are run without signature, execute bit, or symbol checks.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-96656?: Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 allows an admin user to write arbitrary files that may be executed on load. The preference TranscoderH264Options is appended verbatim to x264's option string on every transcode. At startup, all .so files are run without signature, execute bit, or symbol checks.
How severe is CVE-2026-96656?: CVE-2026-96656 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-2026-96656 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-96656?: CVE-2026-96656 affects Plex Media Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-96656?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-96656 published?: CVE-2026-96656 was published on 2026-09-23 and last updated on 2026-09-29.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:plex:media_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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