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 (14596)
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in WPSolr free WPSolr allows Privilege Escalation.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
information and potential privilege escalation following man in the middle attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Commerce versions 2.4.7-p4, 2.4.6-p9, 2.4.5-p11, 2.4.4-p12, 2.4.8-beta2 and earlier are affected by an Improper Authorization vulnerability that could result in Privilege escalation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
Incorrect default permissions in Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management in Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Personal Communications v14 and v15 include a Windows service that is vulnerable to local privilege escalation (LPE). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DLL hijacking in Ivanti Endpoint Manager before version 2024 SU1 or before version 2022 SU7 allows an authenticated attacker to escalate to System. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WPFront User Role Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Siemens License Server (SLS) (All versions < V4.3). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4). No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Siemens License Server (SLS) (All versions < V4.3). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4). No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in HDCP trustlet prior to SMR Apr-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers with shell privilege to escalate their privileges to root. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The SSH service of PowerStation from HGiga has a Chroot Escape vulnerability, allowing attackers with root privileges to bypass chroot restrictions and access the entire file system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Streamit theme for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in RUoYi v.4.8.0 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the menuId parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue in RUoYi v.4.8.0 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the postID parameter in the edit method. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In DA, there is a possible permission bypass due to a logic error. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
In vdec, there is a possible permission bypass due to improper input validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In DA, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Email Notifications for Updates plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
aiven-extras is a PostgreSQL extension. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Woffice CRM theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.4.21. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in Favethemes Homey allows Privilege Escalation.4.1. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in Tomdever wpForo Forum allows Privilege Escalation.4.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The kernel driver, accessible to low-privileged users, exposes a function that fails to properly validate the privileges of the calling process. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Vehica Core plugin for WordPress, used by the Vehica - Car Dealer & Listing WordPress Theme, is vulnerable to privilege escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.97. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Uncanny Automator - Easy Automation, Integration, Webhooks & Workflow Builder Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 6.3.0.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 25.0%.
An issue in Shenzhen Libituo Technology Co., Ltd LBT-T300-T400 v3.2 allows a local attacker to escalate privileges via the function tftp_image_check of a binary named rc. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Insecure Permission vulnerability in student-manage 1 allows a local attacker to escalate privileges via the Unsafe permission verification. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
OpenVPN version 2.4.0 through 2.6.10 on Windows allows an external, lesser privileged process to create a named pipe which the OpenVPN GUI component would connect to allowing it to escalate its. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An HTML injection vulnerability previously discovered in Trend Vision One could have allowed a malicious user to execute arbitrary code. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A broken access control vulnerability previously discovered in the Trend Vision One Role Name component could have allowed an administrator to create users who could then change the role of the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A broken access control vulnerability previously discovered in the Trend Vision One Status component could have allowed an administrator to create users who could then change the role of the account. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A broken access control vulnerability previously discovered in the Trend Vision One User Roles component could have allowed an administrator to create users who could then change the role of the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A broken access control vulnerability previously discovered in the Trend Vision One User Account component could have allowed an administrator to create users who could then change the role of the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect default permissions on the AMD Ryzen(TM) AI installation folder could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tempo Operator creates overly-permissive ServiceAccount, ClusterRole, and ClusterRoleBinding resources that allow authenticated namespace users to extract the ServiceAccount token and abuse TokenReview and SubjectAccessReview APIs to enumerate other users' RBAC permissions, facilitating reconnaissance for follow-up attacks. While not enabling privilege escalation or impersonation directly, this information disclosure (CWE-200) under low complexity attack conditions affects any organization running Grafana Tempo Operator in multi-tenant or untrusted Kubernetes environments where namespace isolation is relied upon for security boundaries. EPSS exploitation probability is 0.21% (low), no public exploit code has been identified, and upstream remediation via GitHub PR #1145 has been made available by the Grafana Tempo Operator project.
The Shopper Approved Reviews plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This vulnerability involves command injection in tcpdump within Moxa products, enabling an authenticated attacker with console access to exploit improper input validation to inject and execute. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in Extensions in Google Chrome prior to 135.0.7049.52 allowed a remote attacker to perform privilege escalation via a crafted HTML page. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Inappropriate implementation in Extensions in Google Chrome prior to 135.0.7049.52 allowed a remote attacker to perform privilege escalation via a crafted HTML page. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Inappropriate implementation in Intents in Google Chrome on Android prior to 135.0.7049.52 allowed a remote attacker to perform privilege escalation via a crafted HTML page. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Inappropriate implementation in Custom Tabs in Google Chrome on Android prior to 135.0.7049.52 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to perform privilege. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in Dimitri Grassi Salon booking system allows Privilege Escalation.11. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPClever WPC Smart Linked Products - Upsells & Cross-sells for WooCommerce allows Privilege Escalation.3.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in hackathon-starter v.8.1.0 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the user.js component. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in BambooHR Build v.25.0210.170831-83b08dd allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the /saml/index.php?r=" HTTP GET parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Leaking of file descriptors from the fork server to web content processes could allow for privilege escalation attacks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
VMware Aria Operations contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP RealEstate plugin for WordPress, used by the Homeo theme, is vulnerable to authentication bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.26. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The SMS Alert Order Notifications - WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.7.9. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Local privilege escalation through insecure DCOM configuration in Valmet DNA versions prior to C2023. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with improved validation. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A parsing issue in the handling of directory paths was addressed with improved path validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An integer overflow was addressed with improved input validation. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional sandbox restrictions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A logic issue was addressed with improved file handling. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Adtran 411 ONT vL80.00.0011.M2 allows attackers to escalate privileges via unspecified vectors. 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.
The Checkout Mestres do WP for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WatchGuard Terminal Services Agent on Windows does not properly configure directory permissions when installed in a non-default directory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WatchGuard Mobile VPN with SSL Client on Windows does not properly configure directory permissions when installed in a non-default directory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Google gVisor's runsc component exhibited a local privilege escalation vulnerability due to incorrect handling of file access permissions, which allowed unprivileged users to access restricted files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Privilege escalation vulnerability in the saTECH BCU firmware version 2.1.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Administrator Z plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the adminz_import_backup(). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A use-after-free in Exim 4.96 through 4.98.1 could allow users (with command-line access) to escalate privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPClever WPC Smart Upsell Funnel for WooCommerce allows Privilege Escalation.0.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Local privilege escalation due to a binary hijacking vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3). No vendor patch available.
HTTP Response Manipulation in SCRIPT CASE v.1.0.002 Build7 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted request. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Fast CAD Reader application on MacOS was found to be installed with incorrect file permissions (rwxrwxrwx). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Trend Micro Apex One Security Agent Plug-in User Interface Manager could allow a local attacker to bypass existing security and execute arbitrary code on affected. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
accountsservice no longer drops permissions when writting .pam_environment. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
The SIMPLE.ERP client stores superuser password in a recoverable format, allowing any authenticated SIMPLE.ERP user to escalate privileges to a database administrator. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Insecure permissions in pipecd v0.49 allow attackers to gain access to the service account's token, leading to escalation of privileges. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure permissions in kubeslice v1.3.1 allow attackers to gain access to the service account's token, leading to escalation of privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Insecure permissions in kuadrant v0.11.3 allow attackers to gain access to the service account's token, leading to escalation of privileges via the secretes component in the k8s cluster. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
libcontainer is a library for container control. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When installing Nessus Agent to a non-default location on a Windows host, Nessus Agent versions prior to 10.8.3 did not enforce secure permissions for sub-directories. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed through improved state management. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper authorization vulnerability exists in the main-latest version of BerriAI/litellm. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In lunary-ai/lunary before version 1.4.30, a privilege escalation vulnerability exists where admins can invite new members with billing permissions, thereby gaining unauthorized access to billing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In composiohq/composio version 0.4.3, there is an unrestricted file write and read vulnerability in the filetools actions. 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.
An arbitrary file download vulnerability exists in the rpc_agent_client component of modelscope/agentscope version v0.0.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the normalizePath function in mintplex-labs/anything-llm version git 296f041 allows for path traversal, leading to arbitrary file read and write in the storage directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 14596