CVE-2019-12571: A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v0.9.8 beta (build 02099) f

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HIGH 7.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-12571 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting private internet access vpn client. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v0.9.8 beta (build 02099) for macOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files. When the client initiates a connection, the XML /tmp/pia-watcher.plist file is created. If the file exists, it will be truncated and the contents completely overwritten. This file is removed on disconnect. An unprivileged user can create a hard or soft lin

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 49%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2019-07-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: londontrustmedia

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-07-11 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

londontrustmedia private internet access vpn client DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.8 beta

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.8

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy private-internet-access-vpn-client || rpm -q private-internet-access-vpn-client || private-internet-access-vpn-client --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison private-internet-access-vpn-client sudo apt install private-internet-access-vpn-client=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.8> sudo apt-mark hold private-internet-access-vpn-client

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

dnf --showduplicates list private-internet-access-vpn-client sudo dnf downgrade private-internet-access-vpn-client-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.8> sudo dnf versionlock add private-internet-access-vpn-client

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-2019-12571?

private internet access vpn client: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-12571 being exploited?

CVE-2019-12571 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-2019-12571 affect?

CVE-2019-12571 affects private internet access vpn client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v0.9.8 beta (build 02099) for macOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files. When the client initiates a connection, the XM

How urgent is CVE-2019-12571?

Priority 43/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-15590 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE A vulnerability in the Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client for Linux 1.5 through 2.3+ allows remote attac
CVE-2019-12579 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux and macOS cou
CVE-2019-12578 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux could allow a
CVE-2019-12577 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for macOS could allow a
CVE-2019-12576 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for macOS could allow a

References

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