Root code execution via orphaned LaunchDaemon
Published Jul 4, 2025 · Updated Jul 8, 2025
Privilege escalation in Tunnelblick 3.5beta06 through 6.1beta2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a crafted app. An orphaned net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.tunnelblickd LaunchDaemon survives an incomplete uninstall and runs code from a replacement /Applications/Tunnelblick.app at boot. Exposure requires the genuine app to be absent, an unlocked Mac with an administrator logged in, and Finder access locally or through remote control.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Tunnelblick 3.5beta06 through 6.1beta2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a crafted app. An orphaned net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.tunnelblickd LaunchDaemon survives an incomplete uninstall and runs code from a replacement /Applications/Tunnelblick.app at boot. Exposure requires the genuine app to be absent, an unlocked Mac with an administrator logged in, and Finder access locally or through remote control.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-43711
- Published
- Jul 4, 2025
- Updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Vendor
- The Tunnelblick Project
- Product
- Tunnelblick
- Classifications
- CWE-459, T1543.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 4, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 8, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=3.5beta06 <7.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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