CVE-2021-31420 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-31420, a high-severity vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 16.1.0-48950 that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Find out the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-31420, a vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.1.0-48950.
Understanding CVE-2021-31420
This section delves into the details of the vulnerability affecting Parallels Desktop 16.1.0-48950.
What is CVE-2021-31420?
CVE-2021-31420 is a vulnerability in the Toolgate component of Parallels Desktop 16.1.0-48950 that enables local attackers to elevate privileges by exploiting a stack-based buffer overflow issue.
The Impact of CVE-2021-31420
The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.8 out of 10, indicating a high severity level. Attackers with low privileges can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-31420
This section provides technical details of the CVE-2021-31420 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The specific flaw in Parallels Desktop 16.1.0-48950 results from inadequate validation of user-supplied data length before copying it to a stack-based buffer, leading to privilege escalation for attackers.
Affected Systems and Versions
Parallels Desktop version 16.1.0-48950 is affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit CVE-2021-31420, an attacker needs the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target guest system.
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, you will find information on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2021-31420.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should apply security updates provided by Parallels for Parallels Desktop to address this vulnerability promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing the principle of least privilege, regular security audits, and employee cybersecurity training can help prevent similar privilege escalation attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that your Parallels Desktop software is regularly updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-31420.