CVE-2021-27278

Host-user code execution via unvalidated Toolgate path

Published Apr 22, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Path traversal in Parallels Desktop 16.1.1-49141 Toolgate allows local users to execute code in the current host user's context. Toolgate uses a user-supplied path in file operations without validating that it remains within the intended location. Exploitation requires high-privileged code execution in a guest system and crosses the VM boundary into the current host user's context.

CVSS severity8.2
High
EPSS probability0.54%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in Parallels Desktop 16.1.1-49141 Toolgate allows local users to execute code in the current host user's context. Toolgate uses a user-supplied path in file operations without validating that it remains within the intended location. Exploitation requires high-privileged code execution in a guest system and crosses the VM boundary into the current host user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-27278
Published
Apr 22, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Parallels
Product
Parallels Desktop
Classifications
CWE-22, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 22, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=16.1.1-49141

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Parallels · Parallels Desktopversion=16.1.1-49141

Published CVSS scores

8.2Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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