Privilege Escalation
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
How It Works
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted. The attack exploits the gap between what the system thinks a user can do and what they actually can do through manipulation or exploitation.
Vertical escalation is the classic form—a regular user obtaining administrator rights. This happens through kernel exploits that bypass OS-level security, misconfigurations in role-based access control (RBAC) that fail to enforce boundaries, or direct manipulation of authorization tokens and session data. Horizontal escalation involves accessing resources belonging to users at the same privilege level, typically through insecure direct object references (IDOR) where changing an ID in a request grants access to another user's data.
Context-dependent escalation exploits workflow logic by skipping authorization checkpoints. An attacker might access administrative URLs directly without going through proper authentication flows, manipulate parameters to bypass permission checks, or exploit REST API endpoints that don't validate method permissions—like a read-only GET permission that can be leveraged for write operations through protocol upgrades or alternative endpoints.
Impact
- Full system compromise through kernel-level exploits granting root or SYSTEM privileges
- Administrative control over applications, allowing configuration changes, user management, and deployment of malicious code
- Lateral movement across cloud infrastructure, containers, or network segments using escalated service account permissions
- Data exfiltration by accessing databases, file systems, or API endpoints restricted to higher privilege levels
- Persistence establishment through creation of backdoor accounts or modification of system configurations
Real-World Examples
Kubernetes clusters have been compromised through kubelet API misconfigurations where read-only GET permissions on worker nodes could be escalated to remote code execution. Attackers upgraded HTTP connections to WebSockets to access the /exec endpoint, gaining shell access to all pods on the node. This affected over 69 Helm charts including widely-deployed monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Datadog agents.
Windows Print Spooler vulnerabilities (PrintNightmare class) allowed authenticated users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by exploiting improper privilege checks in the print service. Attackers loaded malicious DLLs through carefully crafted print jobs, escalating from low-privilege user accounts to full domain administrator access.
Cloud metadata services have been exploited where SSRF vulnerabilities combined with over-permissioned IAM roles allowed attackers to retrieve temporary credentials with elevated permissions, pivoting from compromised web applications to broader cloud infrastructure access.
Mitigation
- Enforce deny-by-default access control where permissions must be explicitly granted rather than implicitly allowed
- Implement consistent authorization checks at every layer—API gateway, application logic, and data access—never relying on client-side or single-point validation
- Apply principle of least privilege with time-limited, scope-restricted permissions and just-in-time access for administrative functions
- Audit permission inheritance and role assignments regularly to identify overly permissive configurations or privilege creep
- Separate execution contexts using containers, sandboxes, or capability-based security to limit blast radius
- Deploy runtime monitoring for unusual privilege usage patterns and anomalous access to restricted resources
Recent CVEs (14611)
In onLoadFailed of AnnotateActivity.java, there is a possible way to gain WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions without user consent due to a confused deputy. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In rw_i93_send_to_lower of rw_i93.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onReceive of NetInitiatedActivity.java, there is a possible way to supply an attacker-controlled value to a GPS HAL handler due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phNxpNciHal_print_res_status of phNxpNciHal.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phNxpNciHal_print_res_status of phNxpNciHal.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phNxpNciHal_print_res_status of phNxpNciHal.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phNxpNciHal_process_ext_rsp of phNxpNciHal_ext.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In halWrapperDataCallback of hal_wrapper.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In archiveStoredConversation of MmsService.java, there is a possible way to archive message conversation without user consent due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onCreate of EmergencyCallbackModeExitDialog.java, there is a possible exit of emergency callback mode due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onCreate of WiFiInstaller.java, there is a possible way to install a malicious Hotspot 2.0 configuration due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In dropFile of WiFiInstaller, there is a way to delete files accessible to CertInstaller due to a confused deputy. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ActivityTaskManagerService.startActivity() and AppTaskImpl.startActivity() of ActivityTaskManagerService.java and AppTaskImpl.java, there is possible access to restricted activities due to a. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In sendBugreportNotification of BugreportProgressService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onReceive of DevicePolicyManagerService.java, there is a possible enabling of disabled profiles due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In isRestricted of RemoteViews.java, there is a possible way to inject font files due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In wrapUserThread of AudioStream.cpp, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
In decrypt of CryptoPlugin.cpp, there is a possible use-after-free due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). No vendor patch available.
In wpas_ctrl_msg_queue_timeout of ctrl_iface_unix.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In permission declarations of DeviceAdminReceiver.java, there is a possible lack of broadcast protection due to an insecure default value. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The ARM TrustZone Technology on which Trusty is based on contains a vulnerability in access permission settings where the portion of the DRAM reserved for TrustZone is identity-mapped by TLK with. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the GetPaid WordPress plugin before 2.3.4, users with the contributor role and above can create a new Payment Form, however the Label and Help Text input fields were not getting sanitized. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to uninitialized data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to improper locking. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a double free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to uninitialized data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onCreate of WifiScanModeActivity.java, there is a possible way to enable Wi-Fi scanning without user consent due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In several functions of MemoryFileSystem.cpp and related files, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
In p2p_process_prov_disc_req of p2p_pd.c, there is a possible out of bounds read and write due to a use after free. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In deleteNotificationChannel and related functions of NotificationManagerService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to improper state validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In __hidinput_change_resolution_multipliers of hid-input.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In Dex2oat of dex2oat.cc, there is a possible way to inject bytecode into an app due to improper input validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In decrypt_1_2 of CryptoPlugin.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In various functions of CryptoPlugin.cpp, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
In various functions of DrmPlugin.cpp, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
In ActivityPicker.java, there is a possible bypass of user interaction in intent resolution due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Settings app, there is a possible way to disable an always-on VPN due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In updateDrawable of StatusBarIconView.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to an uncaught exception. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
MODAPI.sys in MSI Dragon Center 2.0.104.0 allows low-privileged users to access kernel memory and potentially escalate privileges via a crafted IOCTL 0x9c406104 call. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
The Quiz And Survey Master - Best Quiz, Exam and Survey Plugin WordPress plugin before 7.1.18 did not sanitise or escape its result_id parameter when displaying an existing quiz result page, leading. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SerenityOS before commit 3844e8569689dd476064a0759d704bc64fb3ca2c contains a directory traversal vulnerability in tar/unzip that may lead to command execution or privilege escalation. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Path Traversal vulnerability could allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in cgi component in Synology Download Station before 3.8.16-3566 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) Brand Verification Tool before version 11.0.0.1225 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
ZOLL Defibrillator Dashboard, v prior to 2.2,The affected products contain insecure filesystem permissions that could allow a lower privilege user to escalate privileges to an administrative level. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Chromecast bootROM, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Smart Slider 3 Free and pro WordPress plugins before 3.5.0.9 did not sanitise the Project Name before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a double free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to uninitialized data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In memory management driver, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In memory management driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability could allow attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes.
In onCreate of CalendarDebugActivity.java, there is a possible way to export calendar data to the sdcard without user consent due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In getMinimalSize of PipBoundsAlgorithm.java, there is a possible bypass of restrictions on background processes due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In BinderDiedCallback of MediaCodec.cpp, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
In onActivityResult of EditUserPhotoController.java, there is a possible access of unauthorized files due to an unexpected URI handler. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In notifyScreenshotError of ScreenshotNotificationsController.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to misconfigured permissions.
In FindOrCreatePeer of btif_av.cc, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
In shouldLockKeyguard of LockTaskController.java, there is a possible way to exit App Pinning without a PIN due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 is vulnerable to a privilege escalation vulnerability when using the SAML Web Inbound Trust Association Interceptor (TAI). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper component protection vulnerability in Samsung Internet prior to version 14.0.1.62 allows untrusted applications to execute arbitrary activity in specific condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control of a component in CallBGProvider prior to SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 allows local attackers to access arbitrary files with an escalated privilege. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Western Digital EdgeRover before 0.25 has an escalation of privileges vulnerability where a low privileged user could load malicious content into directories with higher privileges, because of how. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control vulnerability has been reported to affect QNAP NAS. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in McAfee Agent for Windows prior to 5.7.3 allows a local user to modify event information in the MA event folder. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Annex Cloud Loyalty Experience Platform <2021.1.0.1 allows any authenticated attacker to escalate privileges to superadministrator. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent on Windows platforms that enables an authenticated local Windows user to execute programs with SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in the packaging of inn of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11-SP3; openSUSE Backports SLE-15-SP2, openSUSE Leap 15.2 allows local attackers to escalate. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in python-postorius of openSUSE Leap 15.2, Factory allows local attackers to escalate from users postorius or postorius-admin to root. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in python-HyperKitty of openSUSE Leap 15.2, Factory allows local attackers to escalate privileges from the user hyperkitty or hyperkitty-admin. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A smart camera product of ZTE is impacted by a permission and access control vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Key exchange without entity authentication in the Intel(R) Security Library before version 3.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unquoted service path in the Intel Unite(R) Client for Windows before version 4.2.25031 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Uncontrolled search path in the Intel Unite(R) Client for Windows before version 4.2.25031 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect default permissions in the Intel(R) Optane(TM) DC Persistent Memory for Windows software versions before 2.00.00.3842 or 1.00.00.3515 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Uncontrolled search path element in the installer for the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology software, before versions 17.9.0.34, 18.0.0.640 and 18.1.0.24, may allow an authenticated user to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Insecure inherited permissions in the Intel Unite(R) Client for Windows before version 4.2.25031 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect default permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) SSD Data Center Tool, versions downloaded before 12/31/2020, may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in the Intel Unite(R) Client for Windows before version 4.2.25031 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper link resolution before file access in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 14611