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 (14612)
An unquoted service path in SAPSetup, version - 9.0, could lead to privilege escalation during the installation process that is performed when an executable file is registered. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5). No vendor patch available.
A Creation of Temporary File With Insecure Permissions vulnerability in hawk2 of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability 12-SP3, SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability 12-SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Lenovo Power Management Driver for Windows 10, prior to version 1.67.17.54, that could allow unauthorized access to the driver's device object. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
In LK, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to an insecure default value. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ImportVCardActivity, there is a possible way to bypass user consent due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In start of WelcomeActivity.java, there is a possible residual profile due to a confused deputy. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In updateInfo of android_hardware_input_InputApplicationHandle.cpp, there is a possible control of code flow due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In setPowerModeWithHandle of com_android_server_power_PowerManagerService.cpp, 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 several functions of InputDispatcher.cpp, WindowManagerService.java, and related files, there is a possible tapjacking attack due to an incorrect FLAG_OBSCURED value. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In setPlayPolicy of DrmPlugin.cpp, there is a possible double free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In onCreate of DeviceChooserActivity.java, there is a possible way to bypass user consent when pairing a Bluetooth device due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In ClearPullerCacheIfNecessary and ForceClearPullerCache of StatsPullerManager.cpp, there is a possible use-after-free due to a race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
In pollOnce of ALooper.cpp, there is possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In parseExclusiveStateAnnotation of LogEvent.cpp, 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 parsePrimaryFieldFirstUidAnnotation of LogEvent.cpp, 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.
Escalation of privileges vulnerability in Micro Focus Operations Agent, affects versions 12.0x, 12.10, 12.11, 12.12, 12.14 and 12.15. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An incorrect permission assignment vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service and OfficeScan XG SP1 could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Trend Micro Apex One as a Service and OfficeScan XG SP1 on a resource used by the service could allow a local attacker to escalate. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell Peripheral Manager 1.3.1 or greater contains remediation for a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could be potentially exploited to gain arbitrary code execution on the system with. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper exception control in softsimd prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows unprivileged applications to access the API in softsimd. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control in ActivityManagerService prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows untrusted applications to access running processesdelete some local files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper permission management in CertInstaller prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows untrusted applications to delete certain local files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A local privilege escalation vulnerability was discovered in Erlang/OTP prior to version 23.2.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in MediaWiki before 1.31.13 and 1.32.x through 1.35.x before 1.35.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Learnsite 1.2.5.0 contains a remote privilege escalation vulnerability in /Manager/index.aspx through the JudgIsAdmin() function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Privilege Escalation in LiteSpeed Technologies OpenLiteSpeed web server version 1.7.8 allows attackers to gain root terminal access and execute commands on the host system. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
`projen` is a project generation tool that synthesizes project configuration files such as `package.json`, `tsconfig.json`, `.gitignore`, GitHub Workflows, `eslint`, `jest`, and more, from a. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
A malicious 3rd party with local access to the Windows machine where MongoDB Compass is installed can execute arbitrary software with the privileges of the user who is running MongoDB Compass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Orbit Fox by ThemeIsle has a feature to add a registration form to both the Elementor and Beaver Builder page builders functionality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in Testimonial Rotator 3.0.3 allow low privileged users (Contributor) to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML without approval. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple issues were addressed with improved logic. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple issues were addressed with improved logic. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privilege escalation vulnerability impacting the Google Exposure Notification Verification Server (versions prior to 0.23.1), allows an attacker who (1) has UserWrite permissions and (2) is using a. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
CA eHealth Performance Manager through 6.3.2.12 is affected by Privilege Escalation via a setuid (and/or setgid) file. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CA eHealth Performance Manager through 6.3.2.12 is affected by Privilege Escalation via a Dynamically Linked Shared Object Library. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CA eHealth Performance Manager through 6.3.2.12 is affected by Privilege Escalation via a Dynamically Linked Shared Object Library. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The software performs an operation at a privilege level higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses on the Reason DR60 (all. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A miscommunication in the file system allows adversaries with access to the MU320E to escalate privileges on the MU320E (all firmware versions prior to v04A00.1). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect default permissions vulnerability in the API of Netop Vision Pro up to and including 9.7.1 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to read and write files on the remote machine with system. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Local privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows clients of Netop Vision Pro up to and including 9.7.1 allows a local user to gain administrator privileges whilst using the clients. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the role-based access control of Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with read-only privileges to obtain administrative privileges by using. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in some versions of ManageOne. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an improper permission assignment vulnerability in Huawei ManageOne product. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Agents are able to see linked FAQ articles without permissions (defined in FAQ Category). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Agents are able to see linked Config Items without permissions, which are defined in General Catalog. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rockwell Automation DriveTools SP v5.13 and below and Drives AOP v4.12 and below both contain a vulnerability that a local attacker with limited privileges may be able to exploit resulting in. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unvalidated input and lack of output encoding in the Themify Portfolio Post WordPress plugin, versions before 1.1.6, lead to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities allowing low-privileged. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Unvalidated input and lack of output encoding in the ThirstyAffiliates Affiliate Link Manager WordPress plugin, versions before 3.9.3, was vulnerable to authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Unvalidated input and lack of output encoding in the Envira Gallery Lite WordPress plugin, versions before 1.8.3.3, did not properly sanitise the images metadata (namely title) before outputting them. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A privilege escalation flaw was found in OpenShift builder. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability could allow attackers to obtain user credentials due to weak protection mechanisms.
SSH Tectia Client and Server before 6.4.19 on Windows allow local privilege escalation in nonstandard conditions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
SSH Tectia Client and Server before 6.4.19 on Windows allow local privilege escalation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.3 (and earlier) is affected by a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow an attacker to call functions against the installer to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
msgpack5 is a msgpack v5 implementation for node.js and the browser. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). Public exploit code available.
DirectX Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Windows Error Reporting Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Windows Update Stack Setup Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
swagger-codegen is an open-source project which contains a template-driven engine to generate documentation, API clients and server stubs in different languages by parsing your OpenAPI / Swagger. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). Public exploit code available.
In GenerateFaceMask of face.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In sound_trigger_event_alloc of platform.h, 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. No vendor patch available.
In the NXP NFC firmware, there is a possible insecure firmware update due to a logic error. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In iaxxx_core_sensor_change_state of iaxxx-module.c, 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 the FingerTipS touch screen driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the Citadel chip firmware, 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 the Citadel chip firmware, 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 the Citadel chip firmware, 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 setNightModeActivated of UiModeManagerService.java, there is 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 onReceive of ImsPhoneCallTracker.java, there is a possible misattribution of data usage due to an incorrect broadcast handler. 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 FindQuotaDeviceForUuid of QuotaUtils.cpp, there is a possible use-after-free due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4).
In onCreate of UsbConfirmActivity, there is a possible tapjacking vector due to an insecure default value. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In createConnectToAvailableNetworkNotification of ConnectToNetworkNotificationBuilder.java, there is a possible connection to untrusted WiFi networks due to notification interaction above the. 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 done of CaptivePortalLoginActivity.java, there is a confused deputy. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In updateNotifications of DeviceStorageMonitorService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to overly permissive default settings.
In onReceive of DcTracker.java, there is a possible way to trigger a provisioning URL and modify other telephony settings 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 qtaguid_untag of xt_qtaguid.c, 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 bindServiceLocked of ActiveServices.java, there is a possible foreground service launch due to a confused deputy. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In StopServicesAndLogViolations of reboot.cpp, there is 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 main of main.cpp, 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 onCreate() of ChooseTypeAndAccountActivity.java, there is a possible way to learn the existence of an account, without permissions, due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In various methods of WifiNetworkSuggestionsManager.java, there is a possible modification of suggested networks due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In checkUriPermission and related functions of MediaProvider.java, there is a possible way to access external files due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onPackageModified of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java, there is a possible change of default applications due to an insecure default value. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getMediaOutputSliceAction of RemoteMediaSlice.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.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 14612