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CVE Record

CVE-2018-10192: IPVanish 3.0.11 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability.

IPVanish 3.0.11 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability. The `com.ipvanish.osx.vpnhelper` LaunchDaemon implements an insecure XPC service that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user. IPVanish uses a third-party library for converting `xpc_object_t` types in to `NSObject` types for sending XPC messages. When IPVanish establishes a new connection, the following XPC message is sent to the `com.ipvanish.osx.vpnhelper` LaunchDaemon. Because the XPC service itself does not validate an incoming connection, any application installed on the operating system can send it XPC messages. In the case of the "connect" message, an attacker could manipulate the `OpenVPNPath` to point at a malicious binary on the system. The `com.ipvanish.osx.vpnhelper` would receive the VPNHelperConnect command, and then execute the malicious binary as the root user.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A vulnerable IPVanish macOS helper could let a local attacker run their own program as root. The issue requires local code or an installed application on the Mac, but successful abuse would give full system-level control.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority where IPVanish 3.0.11 exists on managed Macs, especially on developer or administrator workstations. It is not remotely exploitable from the provided evidence, but it can turn local compromise into root control.

Technical view

IPVanish 3.0.11 for macOS installed com.ipvanish.osx.vpnhelper as a LaunchDaemon. Its XPC service did not validate incoming connections, allowing any local application to send a connect message and control OpenVPNPath, causing root execution of an attacker-chosen binary.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Macs running IPVanish 3.0.11 for macOS with the vulnerable vpnhelper LaunchDaemon installed. The source bundle does not provide CPEs, broader affected versions, or platform scope beyond macOS.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The described attack is local privilege escalation: an attacker must already run code or install an application on the affected Mac.

Researcher notes

Evidence is clear on root cause and privilege impact, but incomplete on CVSS, CWE, fixed versions, and affected CPEs. Avoid assuming other IPVanish versions are affected unless vendor or advisory data confirms it.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IPVanish vendor guidance for fixed macOS releases or removal instructions.
  • Remove IPVanish 3.0.11 from managed Macs until vendor guidance is confirmed.
  • Limit local software installation rights on affected Macs.
  • Monitor for unexpected privileged processes launched by the IPVanish helper.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Macs for IPVanish 3.0.11 and com.ipvanish.osx.vpnhelper presence.
  • Confirm whether affected systems run the vulnerable LaunchDaemon.
  • Review endpoint telemetry for unusual root processes spawned by the helper.
  • Verify vendor update or removal guidance has been applied.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-10192 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.