CVE-2021-34857 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides detailed insights into CVE-2021-34857, a vulnerability affecting Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160), allowing local attackers to escalate privileges. Learn about its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-34857

CVE-2021-34857 is a security vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160) that enables local attackers to elevate privileges on the target system by exploiting a flaw within the Toolgate component.

What is CVE-2021-34857?

CVE-2021-34857 allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160) by executing high-privileged code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied data, leading to a buffer overflow that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and code execution in the hypervisor context.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34857

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.2, categorizing it as high severity. It poses a significant risk to affected systems by allowing attackers to gain escalated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34857

CVE-2021-34857 is classified as an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) that affects Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160). The issue arises due to the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data within the Toolgate component, resulting in a write past the end of an allocated buffer.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3 (49160) allows attackers to escalate privileges via a buffer overflow caused by inadequate user-supplied data validation within the Toolgate component.

Affected Systems and Versions

Parallels Desktop version 16.1.3 (49160) is known to be impacted by CVE-2021-34857, exposing installations of this specific version to the privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-34857, attackers must execute high-privileged code on the target system to trigger a write past the end of an allocated buffer, leading to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the hypervisor context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Implementing timely mitigation measures is crucial to safeguard systems from the risks posed by CVE-2021-34857. Follow the steps outlined below to enhance security and prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches released by Parallels to address the vulnerability in affected installations.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities or privilege escalations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Parallels Desktop to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and user permissions to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches provided by Parallels to address CVE-2021-34857 and other potential vulnerabilities.