What is Privilege Escalation?

When a threat actor takes advantage of security flaws in a system, they can escalate their privileges and get administrative authority. Attackers can increase their rights and possibly do significant harm through malicious activities by manipulating identity authorisation.

The range of user permissions in a system, from minimal user rights to complete administrative control, is determined by the different privilege levels assigned to the user. A successful privilege escalation indicates that the hacker has increased their privileges and, thus, their level of control over the system.

By using privilege escalation, cybercriminals can progress from minor malware infections to serious breaches and network infiltrations. Keeping digital environments safe is difficult, especially when it comes to limiting access in the face of possible malicious intent.

The Dynamics of Privilege Escalation

Hackers usually start the privilege escalation process with low-level access and work their way up to uncover system vulnerabilities by using their knowledge of the architecture and workings of the system.

There are two basic forms of privilege escalation: vertical and horizontal.

A user with lower-level permissions can elevate their access to higher-level privileges through vertical escalation, giving them more power over the system. When a user obtains rights equal to those of another user at the same level, on the other hand, this is known as horizontal escalation and can lead to unauthorised data access and misuse.

Infiltration of the targeted network is usually required before an attacker can launch a privilege escalation attack, which is accomplished by using compromising credentials or by taking advantage of security flaws. When hacking into a system, their goal is to obtain administrative privileges, allowing them to carry out a variety of tasks, like running commands, changing security settings, installing malware, moving laterally, and possibly disrupting business operations, compromising confidential information, gaining unauthorised access to system resources, or even taking over the system entirely.

The Various Attack Vectors of Privilege Escalation

Privilege escalation attacks employ various vectors to compromise system security. One prevalent method is credential exploitation, where attackers employ phishing tactics to obtain user login details, bypassing detection systems with legitimate credentials. This approach poses a significant threat, as it circumvents conventional security measures.

Another vector involves exploiting software vulnerabilities, capitalising on flaws within applications or systems to gain unauthorised access or elevate privileges. Despite developers issuing patches, delayed updates create windows of vulnerability ripe for exploitation. Misconfigurations, often overlooked, present yet another avenue for attackers. Errors in settings, from operating systems to applications, can inadvertently grant low-privilege users the ability to escalate privileges, demonstrating the critical need for thorough configuration management.

Furthermore, malware serves as a common tool for privilege escalation, with Trojans and rootkits exploiting system vulnerabilities to execute malicious activities and establish persistent access.

Social engineering, a potent tactic, manipulates individuals into divulging sensitive information or executing actions that compromise security. By impersonating trusted entities, attackers coerce victims into revealing credentials or performing actions leading to privilege elevation, underscoring the multifaceted nature of privilege escalation attacks.

Safeguarding Against Privilege Escalation Attacks

To safeguard against the diverse range of privilege escalation attacks, implementing robust security measures is crucial. Here are some best practices to mitigate the risk effectively:

1. Least Privilege Principle: Adopt the least privilege principle and only provide people with the minimal amount of access required to do their tasks. This limitation constrains the range of possible attackers’ actions by limiting them to the privileges of hacked accounts.
2. Strong Authentication Methods: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords to enhance your authentication procedures by asking users to submit several forms of identification. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) strengthens defences against unauthorised access attempts by combining variables like passwords, security tokens, and biometric information.
3. Vulnerabilities Scans: Comprehensive vulnerability scans should be carried out regularly to find and fix any possible system vulnerabilities. Depending on their severity, these vulnerabilities must be fixed quickly to prevent potential attacker exploitation.
4. Monitor User Activity Monitoring: Monitor user behaviour across your network for any odd behaviour that could indicate a privilege escalation attempt. Keep an eye out for anomalies such as unauthorised resource access or changes to system settings, and investigate and resolve any observed irregularities as soon as possible.

How can iZOOlogic help my Company or Organisation?

Find out how iZOOlogic can protect you against the threats of privilege escalation with the Threat Visualisation solutions.

To find out more about how iZOOlogic can help protect your company’s cyber security, schedule a demo.