CVE-2024-54189: A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Snapshot functionality of Parallels Desktop for Mac version

Routine

HIGH 7.8MITIGATE

CVE-2024-54189 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting parallels desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Snapshot functionality of Parallels Desktop for Mac version 20.1.1 (build 55740). When a snapshot of a virtual machine is taken, a root service writes to a file owned by a normal user. By using a hard link, an attacker can write to an arbitrary file, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 75%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-62, CWE-59
Published	2025-06-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: parallels

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-06-03 10:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

parallels parallels desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 20.1.1_\(55740\)

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy parallels-desktop || rpm -q parallels-desktop || parallels-desktop --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-54189?

parallels desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-54189 being exploited?

CVE-2024-54189 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-54189 affect?

CVE-2024-54189 affects parallels desktop. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Snapshot functionality of Parallels Desktop for Mac version 20.1.1 (build 55740). When a snapshot of a virtual machine is taken, a root service writes to a file owned by a normal user. By u

How urgent is CVE-2024-54189?

Priority 39/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-31359 HIGH 8.8 MITIGATE A directory traversal vulnerability exists in the PVMP package unpacking functionality of Parallels Desktop fo
CVE-2024-6240 HIGH 7.7 UPGRADE Improper privilege management vulnerability in Parallels Desktop Software, which affects versions earlier than
CVE-2024-6154 MEDIUM 6.7 UPGRADE Parallels Desktop Toolgate Heap-based Buffer Overflow Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2024-6153 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE Parallels Desktop Updater Protection Mechanism Failure Software Downgrade Vulnerability
CVE-2024-52561 HIGH 7.8 MITIGATE A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Snapshot functionality of Parallels Desktop for Mac version

References

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