CVE-2025-69416: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in Plex plex.tv backend
In the plex.tv backend for Plex Media Server (PMS) through 2025-12-31, a non-server device token can retrieve other tokens (intended for unrelated access) via clients.plex.tv/devices.xml.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-69416 is a vulnerability identified in the plex.tv backend component of Plex Media Server (PMS) that affects versions up to and including 2025-12-31. The issue stems from an incorrect authorization implementation (CWE-863) in the endpoint clients.plex.tv/devices.xml. Specifically, a non-server device token, which should have limited access, can retrieve other device tokens that are intended for unrelated access contexts. This means an attacker possessing a valid but limited token can enumerate or access tokens belonging to other devices, potentially allowing unauthorized access to those devices or their associated services. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). However, it requires a privileged token (PR:L), indicating some level of prior access or compromise is needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing tokens that could be used to impersonate or access other devices, but it does not affect the integrity or availability of the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate risk posed by this flaw. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in development. The vulnerability's scope is 'changed' (S:C), meaning the impact extends beyond the initially compromised component to other components or systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict authorization checks in token management systems, especially in multi-device environments like Plex Media Server.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using Plex Media Server, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of device tokens, which are critical for authenticating devices within the Plex ecosystem. Exposure of these tokens could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate devices, access media content, or pivot within the network if Plex is integrated with other internal systems. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, unauthorized data access, and potential reputational damage. Media companies, educational institutions, and enterprises relying on Plex for content distribution or internal media sharing are particularly at risk. The medium severity score suggests a moderate but non-trivial risk, especially in environments where token management is critical. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat is limited, but the vulnerability could be targeted in the future as awareness grows. European organizations should consider the potential for lateral movement and data leakage stemming from token exposure, especially in regulated sectors where data privacy is paramount.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Monitor and audit access logs for unusual or unauthorized requests to clients.plex.tv/devices.xml or similar endpoints to detect token enumeration attempts. 2. Restrict token privileges by implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring device tokens have minimal access rights necessary for their function. 3. Enforce strong authentication and token lifecycle management, including regular token rotation and revocation of unused or suspicious tokens. 4. Apply network segmentation to isolate Plex Media Server instances from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement if token compromise occurs. 5. Engage with Plex vendor support to obtain and deploy patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 6. Consider implementing additional access controls or multi-factor authentication for administrative interfaces managing device tokens. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of token leakage and encourage secure handling of authentication credentials. 8. If possible, disable or restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint until a patch is applied, or implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized access patterns targeting devices.xml.
Affected Countries
Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland
CVE-2025-69416: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in Plex plex.tv backend
Description
In the plex.tv backend for Plex Media Server (PMS) through 2025-12-31, a non-server device token can retrieve other tokens (intended for unrelated access) via clients.plex.tv/devices.xml.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-69416 is a vulnerability identified in the plex.tv backend component of Plex Media Server (PMS) that affects versions up to and including 2025-12-31. The issue stems from an incorrect authorization implementation (CWE-863) in the endpoint clients.plex.tv/devices.xml. Specifically, a non-server device token, which should have limited access, can retrieve other device tokens that are intended for unrelated access contexts. This means an attacker possessing a valid but limited token can enumerate or access tokens belonging to other devices, potentially allowing unauthorized access to those devices or their associated services. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). However, it requires a privileged token (PR:L), indicating some level of prior access or compromise is needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing tokens that could be used to impersonate or access other devices, but it does not affect the integrity or availability of the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate risk posed by this flaw. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in development. The vulnerability's scope is 'changed' (S:C), meaning the impact extends beyond the initially compromised component to other components or systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict authorization checks in token management systems, especially in multi-device environments like Plex Media Server.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using Plex Media Server, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of device tokens, which are critical for authenticating devices within the Plex ecosystem. Exposure of these tokens could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate devices, access media content, or pivot within the network if Plex is integrated with other internal systems. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, unauthorized data access, and potential reputational damage. Media companies, educational institutions, and enterprises relying on Plex for content distribution or internal media sharing are particularly at risk. The medium severity score suggests a moderate but non-trivial risk, especially in environments where token management is critical. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat is limited, but the vulnerability could be targeted in the future as awareness grows. European organizations should consider the potential for lateral movement and data leakage stemming from token exposure, especially in regulated sectors where data privacy is paramount.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Monitor and audit access logs for unusual or unauthorized requests to clients.plex.tv/devices.xml or similar endpoints to detect token enumeration attempts. 2. Restrict token privileges by implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring device tokens have minimal access rights necessary for their function. 3. Enforce strong authentication and token lifecycle management, including regular token rotation and revocation of unused or suspicious tokens. 4. Apply network segmentation to isolate Plex Media Server instances from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement if token compromise occurs. 5. Engage with Plex vendor support to obtain and deploy patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 6. Consider implementing additional access controls or multi-factor authentication for administrative interfaces managing device tokens. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of token leakage and encourage secure handling of authentication credentials. 8. If possible, disable or restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint until a patch is applied, or implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized access patterns targeting devices.xml.
Affected Countries
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- mitre
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-02T16:52:56.748Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6957f952db813ff03ef5aecf
Added to database: 1/2/2026, 4:58:58 PM
Last enriched: 1/9/2026, 7:30:56 PM
Last updated: 2/7/2026, 1:41:27 PM
Views: 69
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