Parallels Desktop prl_hypervisor Untrusted Pointer Dereference Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Vulnerability Details
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 handler for HOST_IOCTL_SET_KERNEL_SYMBOLS in the prl_hypervisor kext. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied value prior to dereferencing it as a pointer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of the kernel.
Additional Details
Parallels has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013
Disclosure Timeline
- 2020-04-01 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2020-08-18 - Coordinated public release of advisory
- 2021-03-02 - Advisory Updated
Credit
Reno Robert of Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative
