CVE-2019-12578: A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux could allow a

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-12578 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) 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 v82 for Linux could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The openvpn_launcher.64 binary is setuid root. This binary executes /opt/pia/openvpn-64/openvpn, passing the parameters provided from the command line. Care was taken to programmatically disable potentially dangerous openvpn parameters; however, the --route-pr

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-88
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: 82

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 82

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 82 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison private-internet-access-vpn-client sudo apt install private-internet-access-vpn-client=<VERSION_BEFORE_82> 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_82> 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-2019-12578?

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

Is CVE-2019-12578 being exploited?

CVE-2019-12578 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-2019-12578 affect?

CVE-2019-12578 affects private internet access vpn client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The openvpn_launcher.64 binary is setuid root. Thi

How urgent is CVE-2019-12578?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenVPN 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-2019-12577 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
CVE-2019-12575 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux could allow a

References

← Back to latest CVEs