![\"elevation](\"https:\/\/syteca_site_uploads.storage.googleapis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/18235746\/graphics-1-How-Escalating-Privileges-Can-Shake-Your-Enterprise-Security.svg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nElevated privileges are necessary for many roles within an organization, but they also present significant security risks<\/a>, one of which is privilege escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Privilege escalation<\/strong> refers to gaining elevated access rights illicitly. Escalation of privileges is often performed by malicious insiders<\/a> or cyber attackers who exploit vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in an application or system to acquire elevated access rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two main types of privilege escalation attacks: horizontal and vertical<\/a>. Below, we describe the differences between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horizontal privilege escalation occurs when a malicious actor does not aim to elevate their access level but instead seeks to move laterally within the same level of access permissions. This typically occurs when a user, who already has legitimate access to certain resources, leverages vulnerabilities or misconfigurations to gain access to other user accounts that share the same privilege level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, suppose an employee with access to your customer database discovers a flaw in the system that allows them to compromise another employee’s account with the same level of access. While the attacker doesn’t gain elevated privileges, they can now access information that was intended only for the other employee. By exploiting horizontal privilege escalation, an attacker can piece together sensitive information from different accounts, potentially leading to a broader data breach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, vertical privilege escalation occurs when an attacker successfully elevates their access level, gaining privileges typically reserved for higher-level accounts, such as administrative accounts. Once administrative access is obtained, the attacker can execute a wide range of malicious actions, such as installing malware, deleting critical files, or altering system configurations. Such elevation of privileges can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or disruption of services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding how these attacks are carried out is crucial in preventing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common attack vectors for privilege escalation include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attackers can utilize malware to elevate their access rights within targeted systems. These attacks begin with obtaining basic user access. The attackers then deploy malware that inserts malicious code into critical processes to increase the control and privileges within the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malicious actors can exploit poorly secured user credentials to gain unauthorized access and initiate privilege escalation. Attackers who manage to obtain user credentials can then elevate privileges for these users and perform malicious activities under the guise of legitimate access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attackers can exploit software vulnerabilities that might not have been addressed by security patches. If hackers find such vulnerabilities, they can leverage them to get access to your systems and move from a regular user role into an administrator role<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Misconfigurations in system settings and security protocols are another prevalent attack vector. These can include unnecessary permissions, improper implementation of access controls, or the use of default credentials. Attackers can exploit misconfigurations to gain unauthorized access<\/a> to your system and move around within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike technical vulnerabilities, social engineering relies on manipulating human behavior. A typical scenario might involve coaxing users into revealing credentials and performing malicious actions that lead to privilege escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insider threats<\/a> originate from within your organization. Just like with credential theft, insider threats are difficult to detect because they are often seen as completely legitimate activities. Employees with legitimate access to sensitive systems might misuse or abuse their privileges<\/a> with the aim of industrial espionage<\/a>, fraud<\/a>, sabotage, theft, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t Request access to the online demo of Syteca!<\/p>\n\n\n\n See how Syteca can protect you against insider threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\tPrivilege escalation attack types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Horizontal privilege escalation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vertical privilege escalation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How privilege escalation occurs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/syteca_site_uploads.storage.googleapis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/18235920\/graphics-2-How-Escalating-Privileges-Can-Shake-Your-Enterprise-Security.svg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMalware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Credential theft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Software vulnerabilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
System misconfigurations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Social engineering <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Insider threats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n