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)
An issue in Secnet Security Network Intelligent AC Management System v.1.02.040 allows a local attacker to escalate privileges via the password component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
there is a possible permission bypass due to Debug certs being allowlisted. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In afe_callback of q6afe.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a buffer overflow. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_control_temp_step of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_tr_num_thresholds of tmu.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. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_tr_thresholds of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
there is a possible way to bypass due to a logic error in the code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In lpm_req_handler of lpm.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_temp_lut of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In pblS2mpuResume of s2mpu.c, there is a possible mitigation bypass 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 tmu_set_table of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Yubico ykman-gui (aka YubiKey Manager GUI) before 1.2.6 on Windows, when Edge is not used, allows privilege escalation because browser windows can open as Administrator. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Livemarks is a browser extension that provides RSS feed bookmark folders. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Macro Expert through 4.9.4 allows BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(M) access to the "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\GrassSoft\Macro Expert" folder and thus an unprivileged user can escalate to SYSTEM by replacing the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Cisco Nexus Dashboard could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid rescue-user credentials to elevate privileges to root on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rapid7 Minerva Armor versions below 4.5.5 suffer from a privilege escalation vulnerability whereby an authenticated attacker can elevate privileges and execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privilege. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerEdge Server BIOS and Dell Precision Rack BIOS contain an improper privilege management security vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Privilege Management in uvdesk/community-skeleton. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In gnss, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In flashc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an uncaught exception. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In battery, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In da, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In da, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In da, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In wlan firmware, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL Injection vulnerability in Tongtianxing Technology Co., Ltd CMSV6 v.7.31.0.2 through v.7.31.0.3 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges and obtain sensitive information via the ids. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Apache Fineract.8.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The MasterStudy LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 3.3.1. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A flaw was found in Cockpit. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.7.0.x contains an improper privilege management vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Fortra's Robot Schedule Enterprise Agent for Windows prior to version 3.04 is susceptible to privilege escalation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Aterm WG1800HP4, WG1200HS3, WG1900HP2, WG1200HP3, WG1800HP3, WG1200HS2, WG1900HP, WG1200HP2, W1200EX(-MS), WG1200HS, WG1200HP, WF300HP2, W300P, WF800HP, WR8165N, WG2200HP, WF1200HP2, WG1800HP2,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer when the driver is performing an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in Ignite Realtime Openfire v.4.9.0 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the ROOM_CACHE component. 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 issue in Ignite Realtime Openfire before 4.8.1 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the admin.authorizedJIDs system property component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Dell Grab for Windows, versions up to and including 5.0.4, contain Weak Application Folder Permissions vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The ZScaler service is susceptible to a local privilege escalation vulnerability found in the ZScalerService process. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
By leveraging the vulnerability, lower-privileged users of Content Manager can manipulate Content Manager clients to elevate privileges and perform unauthorized operations. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Insecure Permissions vulnerability in Vehicle Monitoring platform system CMSV6 v.7.31.0.2 through v.7.32.0.3 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the default password component. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Emacs before 29.3, LaTeX preview is enabled by default for e-mail attachments. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to overly permissive default settings.
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
This vulnerability allows an authenticated user to perform a Lifecycle Manager flow or other QuickLink for a target user outside of the defined QuickLink Population. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Least privilege violation and reliance on untrusted inputs in the mk_informix Checkmk agent plugin before Checkmk 2.3.0b4 (beta), 2.2.0p24, 2.1.0p41 and 2.0.0 (EOL) allows local users to escalate. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Least privilege violation in the Checkmk agent plugins mk_oracle, mk_oracle.ps1, and mk_oracle_crs before Checkmk 2.3.0b4 (beta), 2.2.0p24, 2.1.0p41 and 2.0.0 (EOL) allows local users to escalate. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Improper Privilege Management vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed an attacker to use the Enterprise Actions GitHub Connect download token to fetch private. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Elspec G5 digital fault recorder versions 1.1.4.15 and before. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Elspec G5 digital fault recorder versions 1.1.4.15 and before. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
setuid() does not affect libuv's internal io_uring operations if initialized before the call to setuid(). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
As a part of Tenable’s vulnerability disclosure program, a vulnerability in a Nessus plugin was identified and reported. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
BMC Control-M branches 9.0.20 and 9.0.21 upon user login load all Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) from a directory that grants Write and Read permissions to all users. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Ruby One Time Password library (ROTP) is an open source library for generating and validating one time passwords. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to overly permissive default settings.
The Snowflake Hive metastore connector provides an easy way to query Hive-managed data via Snowflake. 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.
Support App is an opensource application specialized in managing Apple devices. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
SQL injection vulnerability in FME Modules quickproducttable module for PrestaShop v.1.2.1 and before, allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges and obtain information via the readCsv(),. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
This allows attackers to use a maliciously formed API request to gain access to an API authorization level with elevated privileges. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper authorization vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Panorama software enables an authenticated read-only administrator to upload files using the web interface and completely fill one of the. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privilege escalation (PE) vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app on Windows devices enables a local user to execute programs with elevated privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
An issue in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect app enables a non-privileged user to disable the GlobalProtect app in configurations that allow a user to disable GlobalProtect with a passcode. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) and SFTP feature of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to create or overwrite files in a system directory, which. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Malware Scanner plugin and the Web Application Firewall plugin for WordPress (both by MiniOrange) are vulnerable to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the mo_wpns_init(). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Academy LMS - eLearning and online course solution for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.9.19. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Improper Privilege Management vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access.
The FTL Server component of TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO FTL - Enterprise Edition contains a vulnerability that allows a low privileged attacker with network access to execute a privilege escalation. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Error Reporting 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.
Microsoft Defender Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. 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.
An unauthenticated local attacker can perform a privilege escalation due to improper input validation in the OCPP agent service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Zitadel is an open source identity management system. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
In aoc_unlocked_ioctl of aoc.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to type confusion. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ppcfw_init_secpolicy of ppcfw.c, there is a possible permission bypass due to uninitialized data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_config_gov_params of , there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In strncpy of strncpy.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. No vendor patch available.
In onSkipButtonClick of FaceEnrollFoldPage.java, there is a possible way to access the file the app cannot access due to Intent Redirect GRANT_URI_PERMISSIONS Attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In update_policy_data of , 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 lpm_req_handler of , there is a possible out of bounds memory access due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_pi of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In BroadcastSystemMessage of servicemgr.cpp, there is a possible Remote Code Execution due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In init_data of , 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 AtiHandleAPOMsgType of ati_Main.c, there is a possible OOB write due to a missing null check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In policy_check of fvp.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. No vendor patch available.
there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exported broadcast receivers allowing malicious apps to bypass broadcast protection. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_set_gov_active of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_reset_tmu_trip_counter of , there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In tmu_tz_control of tmu.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In pktproc_perftest_gen_rx_packet_sktbuf_mode of link_rx_pktproc.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). No vendor patch available.
In pt_sysctl_command of pt.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ppmp_unprotect_buf of drm_fw.c, there is a possible compromise of protected memory 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 bigo_unlocked_ioctl of bigo.c, there is a possible UAF due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In init_data of , there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 13342