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CVE-2018-7716: PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability with its com.privat.vpn....

PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability with its com.privat.vpn.helper privileged helper tool. This privileged helper tool implements an XPC service that allows arbitrary installed applications to connect and send messages. The XPC service extracts the config string from the corresponding XPC message. This string is supposed to point to an internal OpenVPN configuration file. If a new connection has not already been established, an attacker can send the XPC service a malicious XPC message with the config string pointing at an OpenVPN configuration file that he or she controls. In the configuration file, an attacker can specify a dynamic library plugin that should run for every new VPN connection. This plugin will execute code in the context of the root user.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-7716 is a local privilege escalation issue in PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS. A malicious application already installed on the Mac could abuse PrivateVPN’s privileged helper to run code as root. This is most relevant where PrivateVPN for macOS was deployed on managed endpoints.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation if PrivateVPN 2.0.31 is present on business Macs, especially in environments with unmanaged software installation. This is a local escalation issue, not a remote internet-facing flaw, but successful abuse could give full system control.

Technical view

PrivateVPN’s com.privat.vpn.helper privileged helper exposes an XPC service that arbitrary installed applications can contact. The service accepts a config string intended for an internal OpenVPN configuration. If no new connection is established, an attacker-controlled config can specify a dynamic library plugin that runs as root during VPN connection handling.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to macOS systems running PrivateVPN 2.0.31. The flaw requires local application access, so risk is highest on endpoints where users can install or run untrusted software.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and this CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires an attacker-controlled local application able to communicate with the helper service and influence the VPN configuration path.

Researcher notes

The public description is specific about the vulnerable design but does not provide CVSS, CWE, patch status, or broader version impact. Avoid assuming other PrivateVPN versions are affected without vendor or advisory confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify macOS endpoints running PrivateVPN 2.0.31.
  • Check PrivateVPN vendor guidance for fixed versions or removal instructions.
  • Remove or upgrade affected installations where vendor-supported remediation exists.
  • Restrict installation and execution of untrusted macOS applications.
  • Monitor privileged helper tools and VPN configuration changes on managed Macs.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed PrivateVPN versions on macOS endpoints.
  • Confirm whether com.privat.vpn.helper is present and active.
  • Review vendor release notes or support channels for remediation status.
  • Check endpoint telemetry for unexpected OpenVPN plugin or configuration changes.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

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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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.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-7716 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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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