CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2018-13415 — Plex Media Server security vulnerability

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 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.

Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.0)
Published
2018-08-13
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
windows/system
Weaknesses
CWE-611

Affected products

  • plex / media_server / 1.13.2.5154

Matched remediation archetype

XML external entity and unsafe XML processing

This catalog composition supplies bounded fallback guidance. Explicitly reviewed curated workflows load with the complete record below.

Check exposure

  • Inventory XML parsers used by APIs, file imports, office or image formats, identity protocols, feeds, and background jobs.
  • Determine whether document type declarations, external entities, XInclude, schemas, or network resolvers are enabled.
  • Map parser filesystem and network access and the sensitivity of documents it processes.

Remediate safely

  • Configure each parser to reject document type declarations and disable external entity, XInclude, and network resolution features.
  • Prefer a data format or hardened parser that does not support external resolution, and apply input size and depth limits.
  • Update affected XML libraries and centralize secure parser construction so callers cannot silently override it.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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