CVE-2021-31424 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-31424 affecting Parallels Desktop 15.1.5-47309. Learn about the privilege escalation vulnerability and steps to mitigate the risk.
This vulnerability affects Parallels Desktop version 15.1.5-47309, allowing local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting a heap-based buffer overflow in the Open Tools Gate component. The attacker must execute low-privileged code on the guest system to take advantage of this flaw.
Understanding CVE-2021-31424
This section will provide an in-depth look at the CVE-2021-31424 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-31424?
CVE-2021-31424 is a vulnerability in Parallels Desktop that enables local attackers to elevate their privileges by leveraging a heap-based buffer overflow in the Open Tools Gate component.
The Impact of CVE-2021-31424
The vulnerability poses a high risk, with a CVSS base score of 8.8, leading to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Attackers can execute arbitrary code in the context of the hypervisor.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-31424
This section will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-31424 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The specific flaw in Parallels Desktop arises from the failure to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it to a fixed-length heap-based buffer.
Affected Systems and Versions
Parallels Desktop version 15.1.5-47309 is affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must first execute low-privileged code on the target guest system to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the hypervisor.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section will provide guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2021-31424.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to apply security patches provided by Parallels to address this vulnerability promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing least privilege access, regular security updates, and monitoring for unusual activities can enhance the overall security posture.
Patching and Updates
Regularly update Parallels Desktop to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.