Desktop: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2023-50228 is a high-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in Desktop from Parallels, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Desktop versions: 18.3.2 (53621). The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update parallels_desktop to 19.1.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on kb.parallels.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallels | Desktop | 18.3.2 (53621) | Not stated |
| Parallels | parallels_desktop | before 19.1.0 | 19.1.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (trendmicro.com).
Official description
Parallels Desktop Updater Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. 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 host system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Updater service. The issue results from the lack of proper verification of a cryptographic signature. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. . Was ZDI-CAN-21817.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
The product does not verify, or incorrectly verifies, the cryptographic signature for data.
More Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities (CWE-347)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1803/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Desktop
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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