Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to elevate privileges. Exploitation of a software vulnerability occurs when an adversary takes advantage of a programming error in a program, service, or within the operating system software or kernel itself to execute adversary-controlled code. Security constructs such as permission levels will often hinder access to information and use of certain techniques, so adversaries will likely need to perform privilege escalation to include use of software exploitation to circumvent those restrictions. (Citation: The MITRE Corporation) When initially gaining access to a system, an adversary may be operating within a lower privileged process which will prevent them from accessing certain resources on the system. Vulnerabilities may exist, usually in operating system components and software commonly running at higher permissions, that can be exploited to gain higher levels of access on the system. This could enable someone to move from unprivileged or user level permissions to SYSTEM or root permissions depending on the component that is vulnerable. This may be a necessary step for an adversary compromising an endpoint system that has been properly configured and limits other privilege escalation methods. (Citation: The MITRE Corporation)

Linked Issues

Issuelinks
Linktype Issue
is related to Techniques
is related to Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
is related to Safety Controller
is related to Control Server
is related to Intelligent Electronic Device (IED)
is related to Jump Host
is related to Virtual Private Network (VPN) Server
is related to Programmable Automation Controller (PAC)
is related to Switch
is related to Firewall
is related to Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
is related to Data Gateway
is related to Application Server
is related to Distributed Control System (DCS) Controller
is related to Routers
is related to Workstation
is related to Data Historian
is blocked by Detection of Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
is blocked by Exploit Protection
is blocked by Application Isolation and Sandboxing
is blocked by Update Software
is blocked by Threat Intelligence Program
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