CVE-2018-7311: PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability

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HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-7311 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting privatevpn. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability. The software installs a privileged helper tool that runs as the root user. This privileged helper tool is installed as a LaunchDaemon and implements an XPC service. The XPC service is responsible for handling new VPN connection operations via the main PrivateVPN application. The privileged helper tool creates new VPN connections by executing the openvpn binary loc

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2018-02-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: privatevpn

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-02-21 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

privatevpn privatevpn DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.31

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy privatevpn || rpm -q privatevpn || privatevpn --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.31 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison privatevpn sudo apt install privatevpn=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.31> sudo apt-mark hold privatevpn

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list privatevpn sudo dnf downgrade privatevpn-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.31> sudo dnf versionlock add privatevpn

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-7311?

privatevpn: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-7311 being exploited?

CVE-2018-7311 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-7311 affect?

CVE-2018-7311 affects privatevpn. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability. The software installs a privileged helper tool that runs as the root user. This privileged helper tool is installed as a LaunchDaemon and implements an XPC

How urgent is CVE-2018-7311?

Priority 51/100. High severity

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities · OpenVPN vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-7716 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability with its com.privat.vpn.hel
CVE-2018-7715 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability with its com.privat.vpn.hel

References

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