CVE-2019-12572: A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client 1.0.2 (build 02363) for Win

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-12572 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting private internet access. 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 1.0.2 (build 02363) for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. On startup, the PIA Windows service (pia-service.exe) loads the OpenSSL library from %PROGRAMFILES%\Private Internet Access\libeay32.dll. This library attempts to load the C:\etc\ssl\openssl.cnf configuration file which does not exist. By def

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-427
Published	2019-06-21
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

2019-06-21 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

londontrustmedia private internet access DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison private-internet-access sudo apt install private-internet-access=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo apt-mark hold private-internet-access

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

dnf --showduplicates list private-internet-access sudo dnf downgrade private-internet-access-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo dnf versionlock add private-internet-access

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-2019-12572?

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

Is CVE-2019-12572 being exploited?

CVE-2019-12572 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-2019-12572 affect?

CVE-2019-12572 affects private internet access. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client 1.0.2 (build 02363) for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. On startup, the PIA Windows serv

How urgent is CVE-2019-12572?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

OpenSSL vulnerabilities · Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-10190 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v77 for Windows could allow an
CVE-2017-15882 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE The London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) application before 1.3.3.1 for Android allows remote atta

References

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