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Parallels Desktop CVE-2021-31422

HIGH
Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition (CWE-367)
2021-04-29 zdi-disclosures@trendmicro.com
RCE Parallels Desktop Parallels
7.5
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-367
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture TOCTOU prevention
Impact

CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, high complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction not required.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.1.1-49141. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5). No vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-367. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.1.1-49141. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target guest system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the e1000e virtual device. The issue results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations on an object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the hypervisor. Was ZDI-CAN-12527. Affected products include: Parallels Parallels Desktop.

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionNVD

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.1.1-49141. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target guest system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the e1000e virtual device. The issue results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations on an object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the hypervisor. Was ZDI-CAN-12527.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 78% exploitable
Data Quality
2 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.3%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

38
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +38
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:parallels:parallels_desktop:16.1.1-49141:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-367 – Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition

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CVE-2023-38146 HIGH POC
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CVE-2025-34027 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2020-1337 HIGH POC
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Same technique RCE

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CVE-2012-4681 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2023-3519 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2015-5119 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2015-3113 CRITICAL POC
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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013 REF https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-430/

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