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TI-2023-12059 Aliases CVE-2023-27324GHSA-hxvm-qw87-gw53

Parallels Desktop Updater Improper Initialization Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Priority LOW 36CWE-665Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

Parallels Desktop Updater Improper Initialization 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 initialization of environment variables. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. . Was ZDI-CAN-18229.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00369 30th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
ParallelsDesktop18.0.0 (53049)—No fix listedCNA
  • Desktop VendorParallels Affected 18.0.0 (53049) Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:parallels:parallels_desktop:*:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*before 18.1.0_\(53311\)VulnerableParallels
  • cpe:2.3:a:parallels:parallels_desktop:*:*:*:*:*:macos:*:* Versions before 18.1.0_\(53311\) Vulnerable ·Parallels

Remediation

No fixed version listed by the sources yet.

Fixed in the same release

Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.

  • Advisory ·

    Parallels Desktop — vendor-provided URL

    7 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 6 LOW

    Other records, highest priority first

    • TI-2023-12061 Path traversal in Parallels DesktopPriority MEDIUM 40
    • TI-2023-12063 XML injection in Parallels DesktopPriority LOW 36
    • TI-2023-12060 Parallels Desktop Updater Improper Initialization Local Privilege Escalation VulnerabilityPriority LOW 36
    Show all 7 records → Advisory →

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-27324
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-hxvm-qw87-gw53

References

Advisory 2

  • TI-2025-22549 Path traversal in Parallels Desktop for Mac CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2024-36288 Link following in Parallels Desktop for Mac CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2024-35227 Link following in Parallels Desktop for Mac CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2024-24264 Link following in Parallels Desktop for Mac CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2024-05787 Improper privilege management in Parallels Desktop CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
  • TI-2023-12061 Path traversal in Parallels Desktop CVSS 3.0HIGH 8.2
See all 73 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences