What is Escalation of Privileges?

Understanding Escalation of Privileges

Escalation of Privileges occurs when a user or process gains higher-level access rights than they were originally granted. Attackers commonly leverage software flaws, incorrect configurations, or unpatched system vulnerabilities to achieve this, enabling them to execute unauthorized tasks or retrieve protected data. Methods for elevating privileges often include exploiting kernel vulnerabilities, evading permission checks, or exploiting default credentials. When successful, privilege escalation undermines security by granting attackers capabilities well beyond their legitimate permissions, potentially compromising critical systems or sensitive information.