https://DevOpsCloud.io -- Cloud Monk Losang Jinpa, Ph.D., MCSE/MCT, GitOps DevOps Engineer

Vertical Privilege Escalation refers to a type of security breach where a user gains higher-level access or privileges within a system or application than what was initially granted. This typically involves moving from a lower level of access, such as a standard user, to a higher level, such as an administrator or root user. It is a common method used by attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems and perform actions that are normally restricted.

• Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities: Attackers may exploit flaws in software, such as buffer overflows or inadequate input validation, to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
• Misconfigured Permissions: Poorly configured system permissions or file access controls can allow users to perform actions beyond their authorized scope, leading to privilege escalation.
• Privilege Escalation Exploits: Tools and scripts designed to exploit known vulnerabilities or misconfigurations can be used to escalate privileges. For example, attackers might use tools like Metasploit to exploit known vulnerabilities and gain higher access levels.

• Principle of Least Privilege: Apply the principle of least privilege by ensuring users and applications only have the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks. This reduces the risk of privilege escalation by limiting the scope of potential exploitation.
• Regular Security Patches: Keep software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates to fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited for privilege escalation.
• Access Control Reviews: Regularly review and audit access controls and permissions to ensure that users and processes have appropriate levels of access and that there are no unintentional privilege escalations.

• Incident Response Plan: Develop and implement an incident response plan to quickly address and mitigate any privilege escalation incidents. This plan should include steps for identifying, containing, and remediating the breach.
• Monitoring and Logging: Continuously monitor system logs and user activities to detect unusual behavior or signs of privilege escalation. Implement logging mechanisms to keep track of changes in user privileges and system access.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privilege_escalation
• https://www.csoonline.com/article/3258977/what-is-privilege-escalation-how-to-protect-your-network.html
• https://www.sans.org/white-papers/41833/