CVE-2021-27259 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2021-27259 vulnerability affects Parallels Desktop 16.0.1-48919, allowing local attackers to escalate privileges. The flaw exists within the Toolgate component due to improper data validation, leading to an integer overflow. Attackers can exploit this to run arbitrary code in the hypervisor context.

Understanding CVE-2021-27259

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-27259 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-27259?

CVE-2021-27259 is a vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 16.0.1-48919 that enables local attackers to elevate privileges by exploiting an integer overflow in the Toolgate component.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27259

The impact of CVE-2021-27259 is rated as high, with attackers able to execute arbitrary code in the hypervisor context, potentially leading to system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27259

In this section, we delve into the technical specifics of CVE-2021-27259.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a lack of proper data validation, resulting in an integer overflow before buffer allocation, allowing attackers to run code with escalated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Parallels Desktop version 16.0.1-48919 is specifically affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers must first execute low-privileged code on the target system to exploit the integer overflow and subsequently escalate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we discuss the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-27259.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Parallels Desktop to a patched version to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent privilege escalation attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is essential to regularly update software and follow secure coding practices to avoid such vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates for Parallels Desktop to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.