Vertical privilege escalation

Vertical privilege escalation is a critical security concern in access control, where a user gains unauthorized access to higher-level functionalities or permissions than they are entitled to. Understanding this concept is essential for identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities in systems.

Definition:

• Vertical Privilege Escalation: Occurs when a user is able to access functionalities or resources that exceed their authorized permissions.

Example:

• A non-administrative user accessing an admin page that allows them to delete user accounts exemplifies vertical privilege escalation. This unauthorized access can lead to significant security breaches and data loss.