CVE-2020-15590: A vulnerability in the Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client for Linux 1.5 through 2.3+ allows remote attac

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2020-15590 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) 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 Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client for Linux 1.5 through 2.3+ allows remote attackers to bypass an intended VPN kill switch mechanism and read sensitive information via intercepting network traffic. Since 1.5, PIA has supported a “split tunnel” OpenVPN bypass option. The PIA killswitch & associated iptables firewall is designed to protect you while using the Internet. When the kill switch is configured to block all in

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2020-09-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: privateinternetaccess

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-14 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

privateinternetaccess private internet access vpn client UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.5.0 and < 2.4.0

Fixed in: 2.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5.0

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. UPGRADE to 2.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade private-internet-access-vpn-client

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade private-internet-access-vpn-client

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison private-internet-access-vpn-client sudo apt install private-internet-access-vpn-client=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold private-internet-access-vpn-client

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list private-internet-access-vpn-client sudo dnf downgrade private-internet-access-vpn-client-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5.0> 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-2020-15590?

private internet access vpn client: upgrade to 2.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-15590 being exploited?

CVE-2020-15590 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-2020-15590 affect?

CVE-2020-15590 affects private internet access vpn client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). A vulnerability in the Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client for Linux 1.5 through 2.3+ allows remote attackers to bypass an intended VPN kill switch mechanism and read sensitive information via intercepting network traffic. Since 1.5, P

How urgent is CVE-2020-15590?

Priority 62/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenVPN vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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References

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