CVE-2018-8739: VPN Unlimited 4.2.0 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability in its privileged helper

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-8739?

vpn unlimited: upgrade to 4.2.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-8739 being exploited?

CVE-2018-8739 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2018-8739 affect?

CVE-2018-8739 affects vpn unlimited. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). VPN Unlimited 4.2.0 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability in its privileged helper tool. The privileged helper tool implements an XPC interface, which allows arbitrary applications to execute system commands as ro

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-8739?

Priority 58/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2018-8739 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting vpn unlimited. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

VPN Unlimited 4.2.0 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability in its privileged helper tool. The privileged helper tool implements an XPC interface, which allows arbitrary applications to execute system commands as root.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2018-03-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: keepsolid

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-03-16 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

keepsolid vpn unlimited UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.2.0

Fixed in: 4.2.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vpn-unlimited || rpm -q vpn-unlimited || vpn-unlimited --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade vpn-unlimited

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade vpn-unlimited

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2018-8739?

vpn unlimited: upgrade to 4.2.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-8739 being exploited?

CVE-2018-8739 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-2018-8739 affect?

CVE-2018-8739 affects vpn unlimited. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). VPN Unlimited 4.2.0 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability in its privileged helper tool. The privileged helper tool implements an XPC interface, which allows arbitrary applications to execute system commands as ro

How urgent is CVE-2018-8739?

Priority 58/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

References

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