CVE-2021-34855 : What You Need to Know

A detailed article outlining the vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-34855 in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160) allowing local attackers to disclose sensitive information and escalate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-34855

This section provides insights into the nature of the vulnerability, its impact, affected systems, and recommended mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-34855?

CVE-2021-34855 is a vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160) that enables local attackers to expose sensitive information by leveraging flaws within the Toolgate component.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34855

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with high confidentiality impact, allowing attackers to elevate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the hypervisor's context.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34855

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of proper memory initialization, requiring attackers to run low-privileged code on the target guest system to exploit it.

Affected Systems and Versions

Parallels Desktop version 16.1.3 (49160) is specifically impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with low privileges on a guest system can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute malicious code within the hypervisor environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, recommendations for immediate action, long-term security practices, and patching guidelines are provided.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply the latest security patches, restrict access to vulnerable systems, and monitor for any unusual activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls, regular security audits, and keeping systems up-to-date with patches can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update Parallels Desktop to the latest version with security fixes, follow vendor recommendations, and stay informed about security advisories.