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 (13342)
In multiple locations, there is a possible information leak due to a missing permission check. 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 increment_annotation_count of stats_event.c, 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 newServiceInfoLocked of AutofillManagerServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to hide an enabled Autofill service app in the Autofill service settings due to improper input validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In DevmemXIntUnreserveRange of devicemem_server.c, there is a possible arbitrary code execution due to a logic error in the code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In RGXFWChangeOSidPriority of rgxfwutils.c, there is a possible arbitrary code execution due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In RGXCreateHWRTData_aux of rgxta3d.c, there is a possible arbitrary code execution due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In RGXCreateZSBufferKM of rgxta3d.c, there is a possible arbitrary code execution due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In CacheOpPMRExec of cache_km.c, 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.
Tencent RapidJSON is vulnerable to privilege escalation due to an integer overflow in the `GenericReader::ParseNumber()` function of `include/rapidjson/reader.h` when parsing JSON text from a stream. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Defender for IoT Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in themeenergy BookYourTravel allows Privilege Escalation.18.17. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SINEMA Remote Connect Server (All versions < V3.2 SP1). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in SINEMA Remote Connect Server (All versions < V3.2 SP1). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Dylan James Zephyr Project Manager allows Privilege Escalation.3.97. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Brainstorm Force Ultimate Addons for Elementor allows Privilege Escalation.36.31. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A local privilege escalation vlnerability in the WatchGuard Mobile VPN with SSL client on Windows enables a local user to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileged. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Medicalis Workflow Orchestrator (All versions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Eskooly Free Online School management Software v.3.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted request to the Password Change mechanism. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Eskooly Free Online School management Software v.3.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the HTTP Response Header Settings component. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Eskooly Free Online School management Software v.3.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the User Account Mangemnt component in the authentication mechanism. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Eskooly Free Online School management Software v.3.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the Sin-up process function in the account settings. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Eskooly Free Online School management Software v.3.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the authentication mechanism. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure permissions in 14Finger v1.1 allow attackers to escalate privileges from normal user to Administrator via a crafted POST request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in Smart Device Communication Gateway preinstalled on MELIPC Series MI5122-VW firmware versions "05" to "07" allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure Permissions vulnerability in Micro-Star International Co., Ltd MSI Center v.2.0.36.0 allows a local attacker to escalate privileges via the Export System Info function in. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue discovered in MSP360 Backup Agent v7.8.5.15 and v7.9.4.84 allows attackers to obtain network share credentials used in a backup due to enginesettings.list being encrypted with a hard coded. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management in Jungo WinDriver 6.0.0 through 16.1.0 allows local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management in Jungo WinDriver before 12.5.1 allows local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management in Jungo WinDriver before 12.5.1 allows local attackers to escalate privileges, execute arbitrary code, or cause a Denial of Service (DoS). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.8.0.0 contain an improper privilege management vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.8.0.0 contain an improper privilege management vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.8.0.0 contain an improper privilege management vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.7.0.2 contain an execution with unnecessary privileges vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in Hitachi JP1/Extensible SNMP Agent for Windows, Hitachi JP1/Extensible SNMP Agent on Windows, Hitachi Job Management Partner1/Extensible SNMP Agent on. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Default Permissions, Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerability in Hitachi Ops Center Common Services allows File Manipulation.0.2-00. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory corruption when an invoke call and a TEE call are bound for the same trusted application. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In gnss service, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In gnss service, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to improper certificate validation. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In gnss service, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In venc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to type confusion. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom designed to help teachers teach and learners learn. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
IBM MQ 9.3 LTS and 9.3 CD could allow an authenticated user to escalate their privileges under certain configurations due to incorrect privilege assignment. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Security Access Manager Docker 10.0.0.0 through 10.0.7.1 could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information from the container due to incorrect default permissions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect default permissions vulnerability in firewall functionality in Synology Router Manager (SRM) before 1.2.5-8227-11 and 1.3.1-9346-8 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to access highly. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Agent in Delinea Privilege Manager (formerly Thycotic Privilege Manager) before 12.0.1096 on Windows. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
The XPC service within the audit functionality of Jamf Compliance Editor before version 1.3.1 on macOS can lead to local privilege escalation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3). No vendor patch available.
In lunary-ai/lunary version 1.2.4, an improper access control vulnerability allows members with team management permissions to manipulate project identifiers in requests, enabling them to invite. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
This Advisory describes an issue that impacts Arista Wireless Access Points. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in Spotfire Spotfire Analyst, Spotfire Spotfire Server, Spotfire Spotfire for AWS Marketplace allows In the case of the installed Windows client: Successful execution of this. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in OpenEMR 7.0.2 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges viaa crafted POST request using the noteid parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In WhatsUp Gold versions released before 2023.1.3, an Improper Access Control vulnerability in Wug.UI.Controllers.InstallController.SetAdminPassword allows local attackers to modify admin's password. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
pgAdmin <= 8.8 has an installation Directory permission issue. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to overly permissive default settings.
Missing authorization in Client-Server API in Conduit <=0.7.0, allowing for any alias to be removed and added to another room, which can be used for privilege escalation by moving the #admins alias. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in Hitachi Storage Provider for VMware vCenter allows local users to read and write specific files.1.0 before 3.7.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Membership Software WishList Member X allows Privilege Escalation.26.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The application Faronics WINSelect (Standard + Enterprise) saves its configuration in an encrypted file on the file system which "Everyone" has read and write access to, path to file:. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The ARMember Premium plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 6.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in Parallels Desktop Software, which affects versions earlier than 19.3.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM i 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 product IBM TCP/IP Connectivity Utilities for i contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Local privilege escalation vulnerability allowed an attacker to misuse ESET's file operations during a restore operation from quarantine. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Samsung Magician 8.0.0 on Windows allows an admin to escalate privileges by tampering with the directory and DLL files used during the installation process. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3). No vendor patch available.
Parallels Desktop Toolgate Heap-based Buffer Overflow Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Poly Plantronics Hub Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Keycloak. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vCenter Server contains multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities due to misconfiguration of sudo. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure Permissions vulnerability in JLINK Unionman Technology Co. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
langchain_experimental (aka LangChain Experimental) before 0.0.61 for LangChain provides Python REPL access without an opt-in step. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to overly permissive default settings.
IBM i 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability caused by an insufficient authority requirement. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the affected product. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect access control in the UART/Serial interface on the LB-LINK BL-W1210M v2.0 router allows attackers to access the root terminal without authentication. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Local privilege escalation due to insecure folder permissions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Function vulnerabilities in the Calendar module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will affect availability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Privilege escalation vulnerability in the AMS module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of unauthorized screenshot capturing in the WMS module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Attackers can then execute malicious files by enabling certain services of the printer via the web configuration page and elevate its privileges to root. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An attacker with admin access can install rogue applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A remote attacker using the insecure upload functionality will be able to overwrite any Python file and get Remote Code Execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Toshiba printers use Sendmail to send emails to recipients. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Toshiba printers contain a suidperl binary and it has a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers are vulnerable to a Local Privilege Escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers do not implement privileges separation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Toshiba printers provide several ways to upload files using the web interface without authentication. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Toshiba printers use SNMP for configuration. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 13342