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CVE Record

CVE-2019-12571: A vulnerability in the London Trust Media Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Client v0.9.8 beta (build 02099...

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.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue affects a beta macOS PIA VPN client. A local logged-in user could cause the client to overwrite files when the VPN connects, potentially damaging system or user data. The sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation in the wild.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted local data-loss risk, not an internet-scale emergency. Prioritize confirmation and replacement of the affected beta VPN client on shared or sensitive Macs.

Technical view

PIA VPN Client v0.9.8 beta build 02099 for macOS creates /tmp/pia-watcher.plist during connection handling. If that path already exists, it is truncated and overwritten. The CVE description states a local unprivileged user can use hard or symbolic links to target files owned by other users, including root.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to macOS hosts running London Trust Media Private Internet Access VPN Client v0.9.8 beta build 02099. Risk is higher on shared Macs or systems where untrusted local users have accounts.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing or provided source indicates active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated local access and depends on the affected client initiating a VPN connection.

Researcher notes

The public record describes arbitrary file overwrite through unsafe handling of /tmp/pia-watcher.plist. The supplied sources do not provide CVSS, CWE, vendor patch details, or evidence of exploitation beyond the vulnerability description.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify and remove the affected beta client where not required.
  • Check vendor guidance for fixed or supported PIA client versions.
  • Restrict local account access on systems running the client.
  • Prioritize shared or multi-user macOS systems first.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory macOS endpoints for PIA VPN Client v0.9.8 beta build 02099.
  • Confirm whether affected systems allow untrusted local user access.
  • Review endpoint telemetry for unexpected file truncation or data-loss events.
  • Track vendor or CVE updates for remediation details.
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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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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