Privatevpn · Privatevpn · CVE-2018-7311
**Name of the Vulnerable Software and Affected Versions**
PrivateVPN version 2.0.31 for macOS
**Description**
The software installs a privileged helper tool that runs as the root user, which is installed as a LaunchDaemon and implements an XPC service. This XPC service handles new VPN connection operations via the main PrivateVPN application. The privileged helper tool creates new VPN connections by executing the `openvpn` binary located in the `/Applications/PrivateVPN.app/Contents/Resources` directory. The `openvpn` binary can be overwritten by the default user, allowing an attacker that has already installed malicious software as the default user to replace the binary. When a new VPN connection is established, the privileged helper tool will launch this malicious binary, thus allowing an attacker to execute code as the root user.
**Recommendations**
As a temporary workaround, consider disabling the execution of the `openvpn` binary by the privileged helper tool until a fix is available. Restrict access to the `/Applications/PrivateVPN.app/Contents/Resources` directory to minimize the risk of exploitation. Avoid using the PrivateVPN application to establish new VPN connections until the issue is resolved. At the moment, there is no information about a newer version that contains a fix for this vulnerability.