CVE-2018-7311

What it is

PrivateVPN 2.0.31 for macOS suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability. The software installs a privileged helper tool that runs as the root user. This privileged helper tool is installed as a LaunchDaemon and implements an XPC service. The XPC service is responsible for handling 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, which allows 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. NOTE: the vendor has reportedly indicated that this behavior is "an acceptable part of their software.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

2.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2018-02-21 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2018-02-21 22:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2026-06-17 02:02 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 2.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2018-02-21 22:29 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 02:02 UTC

Exploit probability

2.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-732 · Incorrect permission assignment

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Privatevpn 2.0.31

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.8

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2018-7311.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2018-7311. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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