# CVE-2026-96654: Plex Media Server unsafe URL neutralization in searchOne

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96654-plex-media-server-before-1-43-3-10861-does-not-correctly  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-23. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96654 · Severity: critical · CVSS 6.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2026-09-23

Plex Media Server, a widely used media streaming platform, fails to properly validate URLs in the 'searchOne' parameter. This allows an attacker to bypass intended restrictions and invoke functions from other plugins with arbitrary parameters, potentially leading to account credential theft, malicious file writes, or code execution on affected systems.

Technologies: [Plex Media Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/media-server). Vendors: [Plex](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/plex).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96654 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2026-96654 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 20 October 2026. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96654?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 23 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96654?** A patch was published on 2026-09-23: Fixed in version 1.43.3.10861 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-96654 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96654?** Check whether you run Plex Media Server at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an improper URL parameter validation flaw in the 'searchOne' function that fails to neutralize attacker-controlled URL values. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this via the network to call other plugins' functions and supply arbitrary parameters, creating a cross-plugin function execution vector. A patch was released in version 1.43.3.10861.

## Affected products

- Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861

## Timeline

- 2026-09-23: disclosed
- 2026-09-23: patched: Fixed in version 1.43.3.10861

## References

- [https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/711)
- [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-266-01.json)

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