# CVE-2019-12571: Path traversal in n/a

> A local attacker can exploit insecure temporary file handling in the PIA VPN client to overwrite arbitrary files, causing data loss or denial of service.

- **Severity:** High 7.1 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 11 Jul 2019
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rcf9-hj2v-5jg5

## What is CVE-2019-12571?

CVE-2019-12571 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jul 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-12571?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Londontrustmedia Private Internet Access Vpn Client.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-12571?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-12571 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2019-12571 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-12571 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-12574](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12574/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2019-12575](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12575/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2019-12576](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12576/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2019-12577](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12577/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2019-12578](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12578/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-12571 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-12571 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jul 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-12571 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12571/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12571/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-12571
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-12571
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-12571

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-12571/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.