CVE-2021-34869

Guest-to-hypervisor code execution via uncontrolled allocation

Published Jan 25, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Uncontrolled memory allocation in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3-49160 allows local users to execute code in the hypervisor. Toolgate fails to validate guest-supplied request data before using it for memory allocation, allowing an attacker-controlled excessive allocation. Exploitation requires low-privileged code execution inside a guest and crosses the virtualization boundary into the hypervisor context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.42%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled memory allocation in Parallels Desktop 16.1.3-49160 allows local users to execute code in the hypervisor. Toolgate fails to validate guest-supplied request data before using it for memory allocation, allowing an attacker-controlled excessive allocation. Exploitation requires low-privileged code execution inside a guest and crosses the virtualization boundary into the hypervisor context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-34869
Published
Jan 25, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Parallels
Product
Parallels Desktop
Classifications
CWE-789, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 25, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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=16.1.3-49160

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Parallels · Parallels Desktopversion=16.1.3-49160

Published CVSS scores

7.8Trend Micro Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-789Uncontrolled Memory Allocation
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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