CVE-2019-12576 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-12576, a vulnerability in London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for macOS allowing unauthorized code execution. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures.
London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for macOS is vulnerable to unauthorized code execution due to a setuid root configuration in the openvpn_launcher binary.
Understanding CVE-2019-12576
An authenticated, local attacker with access to the PIA VPN Client v82 for macOS could exploit a vulnerability to execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges.
What is CVE-2019-12576?
The vulnerability stems from the setuid root configuration of the openvpn_launcher binary, allowing a low-privileged user to run unauthorized commands as root during the connection establishment.
The Impact of CVE-2019-12576
Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to the execution of unauthorized code with higher privileges, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-12576
London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for macOS is susceptible to unauthorized code execution due to a flaw in the openvpn_launcher binary.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute unauthorized commands as root by manipulating the networksetup utility with relative paths during the connection process.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82
- Vendor: N/A
- Version: N/A
Exploitation Mechanism
- An authenticated, local attacker can create a networksetup trojan to execute unauthorized commands as root during the connection establishment.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2019-12576, immediate steps and long-term security practices are recommended.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable the affected VPN client until a patch is available.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and applications.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by the vendor to fix the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized code execution.