CVE-2021-42835

HIGH
7
CVSS Score
Published: December 8, 2021 at 02:34 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 04:10 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorMedia Server· also runs on 1 platform

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Severity
HIGH7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 1%

Description

An issue was discovered in Plex Media Server through 1.24.4.5081-e362dc1ee. An attacker (with a foothold in a endpoint via a low-privileged user account) can access the exposed RPC service of the update service component. This RPC functionality allows the attacker to interact with the RPC functionality and execute code from a path of his choice (local, or remote via SMB) because of a TOCTOU race condition. This code execution is in the context of the Plex update service (which runs as SYSTEM).

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 1.25.0.5282
Affected range stops below 1.25.0.5282, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
microsoft-windows (environment)

Runs on — not affected

The affected product only carries this flaw when running on these platforms. The platforms themselves are not vulnerable.

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

References (4)

x_refsource_MISCThird Party Advisory
https://bugsec.com/experts_teams/
x_refsource_MISCExploitThird Party Advisory
https://ir-on.io/2021/12/02/local-privilege-plexcalation/
x_refsource_MISCProductVendor Advisory
https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads/

CVSS

Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
HIGH
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-367

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