Glossary
Privilege Escalation
Privilege escalation is when a hacker starts with limited access (like a regular employee) and finds ways to get more power (like an admin). It's like a visitor badge somehow turning into a master key. They might start small but end up controlling everything.
What is Privilege Escalation?
The act of exploiting a bug, design flaw, or configuration oversight to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected from an application or user.
Why Should You Care?
Understanding privilege escalation is essential for building a strong security posture. This knowledge helps organizations identify threats early and respond appropriately.
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Real-World Example
Security teams regularly encounter privilege escalation in their day-to-day operations. Recognizing and responding to these scenarios is a core security competency.
How to Protect Against Privilege Escalation
- 1.
Apply principle of least privilege to all accounts
- 2.
Keep all systems patched and updated
- 3.
Monitor for suspicious admin activity
Related Terms
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