ZDI-21-432: Parallels Desktop Tools Integer Overflow Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target guest system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Parallels Tools component. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel on the target guest system.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Parallels Desktop

Event History

Mar 24, 2025
Advisory Published
via ZDI·07:01 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of ZDI-21-432?

The ZDI-21-432 vulnerability is considered to have a critical severity level due to its potential for privilege escalation.

2

How do I fix ZDI-21-432?

To address the ZDI-21-432 vulnerability, users should update Parallels Desktop to the latest version as per vendor guidance.

3

Who is affected by ZDI-21-432?

The ZDI-21-432 vulnerability affects installations of Parallels Desktop for Mac.

4

What type of attack does ZDI-21-432 involve?

ZDI-21-432 involves a local privilege escalation attack that requires low-privileged code execution.

5

Can ZDI-21-432 be exploited remotely?

No, the ZDI-21-432 vulnerability requires local access to the affected system to be exploited.

Contact

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