CVE-2020-8871 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 15.1.0-47107. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target guest system to exploit this flaw. The issue stems from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, leading to a write past the end of an allocated buffer within the VGA virtual device.

Understanding CVE-2020-8871

This CVE entry describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 15.1.0-47107.

What is CVE-2020-8871?

CVE-2020-8871 is a vulnerability that allows local attackers to elevate their privileges on affected Parallels Desktop installations by exploiting a flaw in the VGA virtual device's data validation process.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8871

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.2, indicating a high severity level. The impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, with high privileges required for exploitation and a low attack complexity.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8871

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 15.1.0-47107 allows attackers to write past the end of an allocated buffer due to inadequate validation of user-supplied data within the VGA virtual device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Desktop
Vendor: Parallels
Version: 15.1.0-47107

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target guest system. By leveraging the flaw in the VGA virtual device, attackers can escalate privileges and execute code within the hypervisor's context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-8871 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Parallels promptly.
Monitor and restrict high-privileged code execution on guest systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
Regularly update and patch software to address known security issues.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators on secure coding practices and the risks of privilege escalation.
Utilize security tools and solutions to monitor and detect unauthorized activities.
Follow the principle of least privilege to limit access rights and reduce the attack surface.
Stay informed about security advisories and best practices to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Parallels Desktop are updated with the latest patches and security fixes to mitigate the risk of privilege escalation vulnerabilities.