CVE-2019-12575 : What You Need to Know

A security weakness in the Linux version of the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 allows an attacker with local access to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Understanding CVE-2019-12575

What is CVE-2019-12575?

This vulnerability in the PIA VPN Client v82 for Linux enables an authenticated attacker with local access to run arbitrary code as the root user.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12575

The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12575

Vulnerability Description

The root_runner.64 binary in the PIA VPN Client executes /opt/pia/ruby/64/ruby, attempting to load libraries under /tmp/ruby-deploy.old/lib, which can be exploited by a user with lower privileges to run code as root.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82
Vendor: London Trust Media
Version: v82

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker with local access can place a malicious library in a specific directory to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the affected VPN client until a patch is available.
Monitor for any unauthorized system changes or activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access and permissions.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches and updates provided by the vendor to address this vulnerability.