CVE-2026-31893: Tunnelblick is an open source graphic user interface for OpenVPN on macOS

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-31893 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting tunnelblick. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Tunnelblick is an open source graphic user interface for OpenVPN on macOS. In versions 3.3beta26 through 9.0beta01, any local user can read arbitrary root-owned files by exploiting a symlink following vulnerability in tunnelblick-helper, reachable through the world-accessible tunnelblickd Unix socket. The socket is configured with mode 0666, allowing any local user to connect. No authorization check is performed on the connecting client. The tunn

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 85%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-61
Published	2026-05-05
Last modified	2026-07-25

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: tunnelblick

Last updated 2026-07-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-05 20:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-25 11:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

tunnelblick tunnelblick UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.5.3 and < 8.0.1 · 3.3 beta26 · 8.1 beta01 · 8.1 beta02 · 8.1 beta03 · 9.0 beta01

Fixed in: 8.0.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tunnelblick || rpm -q tunnelblick || tunnelblick --version

2. UPGRADE to 8.0.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tunnelblick

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tunnelblick

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 3.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tunnelblick sudo apt install tunnelblick=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.3> sudo apt-mark hold tunnelblick

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

dnf --showduplicates list tunnelblick sudo dnf downgrade tunnelblick-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.3> sudo dnf versionlock add tunnelblick

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-2026-31893?

tunnelblick: upgrade to 8.0.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-31893 being exploited?

CVE-2026-31893 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-2026-31893 affect?

CVE-2026-31893 affects tunnelblick. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Tunnelblick is an open source graphic user interface for OpenVPN on macOS. In versions 3.3beta26 through 9.0beta01, any local user can read arbitrary root-owned files by exploiting a symlink following vulnerability in tunnelblick-helper, re

How urgent is CVE-2026-31893?

Priority 28/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities · OpenVPN vulnerabilities

References

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