Escalation of Privileges

An attack where a user gains higher access permissions than they are authorized to have.

Understanding Escalation of Privileges

Privilege escalation occurs when attackers exploit misconfigurations, software vulnerabilities, or weak credentials to elevate their access rights. It is a critical phase in most cyberattacks, as it allows adversaries to move from low-level access to full system control.

Types of Privilege Escalation

Vertical Privilege Escalation

A low-privileged user (e.g., guest account) exploits vulnerabilities to gain admin/root access.

Horizontal Privilege Escalation

A user gains access to another user's account without increasing privilege levels.

Best Practices for Preventing Privilege Escalation

1. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)

Restrict user access to only what is necessary for their role.

2. Regularly Patch Operating Systems and Applications

Fix known privilege escalation vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

3. Monitor for Suspicious Privilege Changes

Use SIEM and behavioral analytics to detect unusual access patterns.