What is CVE-2019-12571?

CVE-2019-12571 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple macOS, classified under Improper Link Resolution Before File Access. CVSS score: 7.1/10. Published 2019-07-11.

How severe is CVE-2019-12571?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.1 out of 10.

Is CVE-2019-12571 known to be exploited?

1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Vulnerability in Apple macOS

CVE-2019-12571

A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v0.9.8 beta (build 02099) for macOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files. When the client initiates a connection, the XML /tmp/pia-watcher.plist file is created. If the file exists, it will be truncated and the contents completely overwritten. This file is removed on disconnect. An unprivileged user can create a hard or soft link to arbitrary files owned by any user on the system, including root. This creates a denial of service condition and possible data loss if leveraged by a malicious local user.

EPSS: 0.006 (47.1th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.1 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Apple Macos
Londontrustmedia Private_internet_access_vpn_client — versions 0.9.8
N/a — versions n/a

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-59 — Improper Link Resolution Before File Access

Public proof-of-concept exploits

mirchr/security-research

References

cve@mitre.org (Exploit, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-12571?: CVE-2019-12571 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple macOS, classified under Improper Link Resolution Before File Access. CVSS score: 7.1/10. Published 2019-07-11.
How severe is CVE-2019-12571?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.1 out of 10.
Is CVE-2019-12571 known to be exploited?: 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.