ZDI-21-433: 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 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-21-433?

The severity of ZDI-21-433 is high due to its ability to allow local privilege escalation.

2

How do I fix ZDI-21-433?

To fix ZDI-21-433, update Parallels Desktop to the latest version provided by Parallels.

3

Who is affected by ZDI-21-433?

ZDI-21-433 affects users of Parallels Desktop for Mac.

4

Can ZDI-21-433 be exploited remotely?

No, ZDI-21-433 requires local access to exploit the privilege escalation vulnerability.

5

What should I do if I can't update due to ZDI-21-433?

If unable to update, limit local user access to the affected system and monitor for unusual activity.

Contact

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