Week in Review: Plex Media Server Vulnerability Affects Hundreds of Thousands, Git RCE Exploited
Critical Updates Needed: Plex and Git Vulnerabilities Explained
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying ahead of threats is paramount. Recently, two significant vulnerabilities have come to light, affecting a widely used media server platform and a fundamental tool for software developers. A critical flaw in Plex Media Server could expose hundreds of thousands of users to remote attacks, while a separate high-severity vulnerability in Git puts developers at risk of remote code execution.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know and the immediate steps you should take to protect yourself.
Plex Media Server Flaw: A Major Risk for Windows Users
A serious vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-4377, has been discovered in Plex Media Server, specifically impacting users running the software on Windows. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially leading to a full system compromise.
Who is at Risk?
The vulnerability specifically affects Plex Media Server installations on Windows operating systems. Given that Plex is a popular choice for managing personal media libraries on home servers and network-attached storage (NAS) devices, the number of potentially exposed systems is substantial. If you are running your Plex server on Windows, you are strongly urged to take immediate action.
How the Exploit Works
The security flaw stems from the way Plex handles certain API requests. An unauthenticated attacker on the same network can send a specially crafted HTTP request to the server. This request leverages a function that can be manipulated to load a malicious DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file. Once this malicious file is loaded, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the Plex Media Server process.
This type of attack, known as DLL hijacking, can lead to severe consequences, including:
- Complete server takeover
- Data theft and exfiltration
- Installation of ransomware or other malware
- Using the compromised server to attack other devices on your network
How to Protect Your Plex Server
Fortunately, the Plex development team has already released a patch to address this critical issue.
- Update Immediately: The most important step is to update your Plex Media Server to version 1.40.2 or newer. The update contains the necessary fix to prevent this exploit. You can typically update directly from the server’s web interface under Settings > General.
- Limit Network Exposure: As a general best practice, avoid exposing your Plex server directly to the public internet. If you require remote access, use Plex’s official secure connection features or a trusted VPN service rather than opening ports on your router.
Critical Git Flaw Allows for Remote Code Execution
In a separate but equally critical development, a high-severity vulnerability has been found in Git, the world’s most popular version control system. Tracked as CVE-2024-32002, this flaw could allow an attacker to achieve remote code execution (RCE) on a developer’s machine simply by having them clone a malicious repository.
Who is at Risk?
This vulnerability poses a threat to any developer who uses Git to clone repositories, especially on case-insensitive file systems like Windows and macOS. Given Git’s ubiquity in software development, the potential impact is widespread, affecting individual developers, startups, and large enterprises alike.
How the Exploit Works
The attack is sophisticated and relies on a chain of events involving Git submodules and case-insensitive file systems. Here’s a simplified explanation:
- An attacker creates a malicious Git repository containing cleverly named submodules.
- When a victim clones this repository using the
--recurse-submodulescommand (a common practice), Git can be tricked into placing a repository’s internal.gitdirectory into an unexpected location. - This confusion allows a malicious hook script (e.g., a
post-checkoutscript) embedded within the repository to be executed on the victim’s computer.
The result is full remote code execution, giving the attacker the power to steal source code, inject malware into the development pipeline, compromise credentials, or move laterally within the developer’s network.
Securing Your Git Workflow
Protecting against this threat requires updating your Git client and adopting safe practices.
- Update Your Git Client: The Git project has released patched versions to fix this vulnerability. You should immediately update to a secure version, such as v2.45.1, v2.44.1, v2.43.4, v2.42.2, v2.41.1, v2.40.2, or v2.39.4.
- Exercise Caution: Be extremely careful when cloning repositories from untrusted or unknown sources. Always verify the legitimacy of a project before pulling it onto your local machine.
- Temporary Mitigation: If you cannot update immediately, you can reduce your risk by running the command
git config --global core.symlinks falseto disable symlink support, which can help disrupt the exploit chain.
Stay Vigilant: The Importance of Timely Updates
These two vulnerabilities serve as a powerful reminder that no software is immune to security flaws. Proactive maintenance and timely patching are your strongest defenses against cyber threats. Whether you are managing a home media server or developing mission-critical software, applying security updates as soon as they become available is not just a best practice—it is an essential part of modern digital hygiene.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/08/31/week-in-review-300k-plex-media-server-instances-still-vulnerable-to-attack-exploited-git-rce-flaw/
