As
organizations increasingly rely on remote work capabilities and larger cloud
systems, they become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Among these attacks,
privilege escalation is a prevalent and complex threat that can target any
network asset. Organizations need multiple defense strategies to protect
against such threats that recognize the possibility of exploiting any entry
point. An essential step in prevention and defense is understanding the
privilege escalation process and its types. So in this article, we have
discussed types of privilege escalation attacks.
What is Privilege Escalation?
Privilege escalation is a cyber attack in which attackers gain elevated privileges on a system or network beyond what they were initially authorized for. This unauthorized access can be used to steal sensitive data, install malware or gain control of the system.
Types of Privilege Escalation Attacks
Privilege escalation
attacks can be broadly classified into two main types based on the direction of
escalation: vertical privilege escalation and horizontal privilege escalation.
- Vertical privilege escalation: This type of attack involves an attacker gaining higher privileges than what they are initially authorized for. This can occur by exploiting system or application software vulnerabilities or kernel-based vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflow or code injection attacks. The attacker can then use the higher privileges to access sensitive data, install malware, or perform other malicious actions.
- Horizontal privilege escalation: This type of attack occurs when an attacker gains access to another user's account with the same privilege level. This is typically achieved through techniques such as password cracking or session hijacking. After gaining access, an attacker can use the compromised account to perform unauthorized transactions or access sensitive data.
Privilege Escalation Techniques or Methods
Attackers use several
common privilege escalation techniques or methods to gain elevated privileges.
Here are a few of the most prevalent:
● Exploiting
software vulnerabilities: Attackers
can exploit software or operating system vulnerabilities, such as buffer
overflow or code injection, to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges.
● Misconfigured
systems: Attackers
can use techniques with misconfigured security settings, such as incorrect
permissions or insecure default configurations, to gain higher privileges.
● Password
cracking: Attackers can use
password-cracking tools or techniques to guess or crack user passwords and gain
access to accounts with higher privileges.
● Social
engineering: Attackers can use social
engineering tactics, such as phishing or pretexting, to trick users into
divulging their login credentials or other sensitive information.
● Physical
access: Attackers can gain
physical access to a device or network, bypassing security controls and gaining
higher privileges.
● Session
hijacking: Attackers can hijack a
user's session to gain access to the user's account with the same privilege
level.
● Privilege escalation in virtual environments: Attackers can exploit virtualization software vulnerabilities to access the host system or other virtual machines with higher privileges.
Final Thoughts:
Privilege escalation attacks are a significant threat to the security of systems and networks. Attackers can use different techniques to escalate their privileges and gain access to restricted areas, steal sensitive data, or perform malicious activities. Organizations must implement security best practices, such as access controls, regular vulnerability assessments, and security awareness training for their employees.
InfosecTrain can help individuals and organizations enhance their knowledge and skills in information security, including preventing and detecting privilege escalation attacks. We offer several training courses and workshops that cover different aspects of cybersecurity, including ethical hacking, penetration testing, incident response, and many more.
