CVE-2021-27242
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.0.1-48919.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.28%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop 16.0.1-48919. 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 Toolgate component. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a memory corruption condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of the hypervisor. Was ZDI-CAN-11926.
- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.28% probability · 20th percentile
- Public exploits
- None in Exploit-DB
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-787
- Affected
- parallels/parallels desktop
- Source
- zdi-disclosures@trendmicro.com
EPSS 0.3% since 26 October 2026; no change recorded yet. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
References
- https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013Vendor Advisory
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-209/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013Vendor Advisory
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-209/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.