CVE-2019-12579: A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v82 for Linux and macOS cou

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-12579 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 and macOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The PIA Linux/macOS binary openvpn_launcher.64 binary is setuid root. This binary accepts several parameters to update the system configuration. These parameters are passed to operating system commands using a "here" document. The parameters are not

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-78
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-2019-12579?

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

Is CVE-2019-12579 being exploited?

CVE-2019-12579 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-2019-12579 affect?

CVE-2019-12579 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 and macOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The PIA Linux/macOS binary openvpn_launc

How urgent is CVE-2019-12579?

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

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities · 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-2019-12578 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
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

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