Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-17392 is a local privilege escalation flaw in Parallels Desktop 15.1.3-47255. A user or malware already running with low privileges on a Mac could potentially gain kernel-level control through the Parallels kernel extension.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority where the affected Parallels version exists. This is not a remote entry point, but it can turn a limited local compromise into kernel-level control.
Technical view
The flaw is in the prl_hypervisor kext handler for HOST_IOCTL_SET_KERNEL_SYMBOLS. It lacks proper validation before dereferencing a user-supplied pointer, mapped to CWE-822. CVSS 3.0 is 8.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running Parallels Desktop 15.1.3-47255. The practical risk is highest on developer or business macOS endpoints where untrusted local code could run.
Exploitation context
Sources describe local privilege escalation only. The attacker must first execute low-privileged code on the target. The bundle does not include KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The source bundle names the affected build and vulnerable kext handler, but does not provide patch-version details. Avoid assuming exploitation in the wild; validate exposure through asset inventory and vendor advisory review.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory macOS systems for Parallels Desktop 15.1.3-47255.
- Review Parallels KB 125013 for vendor remediation guidance.
- Upgrade affected installations if Parallels identifies a fixed supported build.
- Restrict local code execution paths on systems that cannot be updated promptly.
- Monitor endpoint alerts for suspicious Parallels kernel extension activity.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Parallels Desktop version on macOS endpoints.
- Check whether prl_hypervisor kext is present on inventoried systems.
- Compare findings against Parallels KB 125013 guidance.
- Verify updated systems no longer report version 15.1.3-47255.
- Document any unsupported or exception systems for risk acceptance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-822: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-17392 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H26Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1010/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Untrusted Pointer Dereference
Untrusted Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.