Master Privilege Escalation Techniques for Enhanced System Access

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of utilizing a rootkit in privilege escalation?

Accepted Answer

To conceal malicious programs and files from detection mechanisms

Answer

To bypass authentication and authorization protocols

Answer

To decrypt and access encrypted data

Answer

To modify the fundamental system configuration

Question 2

Which of the following ethical hacking tools is commonly employed for post-exploitation privilege escalation?

Accepted Answer

Metasploit Framework

Answer

Nmap

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

John the Ripper

Question 3

What is the primary benefit of establishing a backdoor in a compromised system?

Accepted Answer

Provides persistent remote access even after the initial foothold is lost

Answer

Allows for covert exfiltration of sensitive data without detection

Answer

Enables immediate privilege escalation to the root account

Answer

Prevents antivirus software from detecting subsequent malicious activities

Question 4

Explain the fundamental difference between vertical and horizontal privilege escalation.

Accepted Answer

Vertical escalation elevates privileges within the same system, while horizontal escalation moves to a different system

Answer

Horizontal escalation relies on an external foothold, whereas vertical escalation exploits vulnerabilities on the target system

Answer

Vertical escalation targets user accounts, while horizontal escalation targets administrative accounts

Answer

Horizontal escalation is inherently more challenging to achieve compared to vertical escalation

Question 5

Which SQL injection technique is specifically designed to exploit database vulnerabilities for privilege escalation?

Accepted Answer

Union-based injection

Answer

Blind injection

Answer

Error-based injection

Answer

Time-based injection

Question 6

In the context of privilege escalation, what is the primary purpose of password cracking tools?

Accepted Answer

To decipher passwords of high-privilege accounts using brute-force methods

Answer

To generate secure passwords for protected systems

Answer

To identify weak passwords in a network for remediation

Answer

To reset forgotten passwords for administrator accounts

Question 7

In a Linux environment, which command can be used to list processes running with elevated privileges?

Accepted Answer

ps aux | grep sudo

Answer

ls -l /proc | grep su

Answer

netstat -ano | grep root

Answer

whoami -u | grep root

Question 8

During a buffer overflow attack, what is the primary method used to exploit the vulnerability for privilege escalation?

Accepted Answer

Overwriting memory addresses to alter the program's behavior

Answer

Injecting malicious code into the buffer

Answer

Modifying system files to gain administrative access

Answer

Intercepting network traffic to steal credentials

Question 9

Which attack method involves assuming the identity of a high-privilege user to gain access to sensitive information?

Accepted Answer

Pass-the-ticket attack

Answer

Man-in-the-middle attack

Answer

SQL injection attack

Answer

Cross-site scripting attack

Question 10

In the privilege escalation process, what is the significance of enumeration?

Accepted Answer

It aids in identifying potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors for exploitation.

Answer

It enables direct exploitation of known vulnerabilities to gain elevated access.

Answer

It helps maintain access to compromised systems for extended periods.

Answer

It assists in covering up traces of malicious activity to evade detection.

Question 11

Which of the following tools is widely used for automating privilege escalation attacks?

Accepted Answer

Metasploit

Answer

Nmap

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Nessus

Question 12

Which privilege escalation technique involves using stolen or compromised credentials to gain higher levels of access?

Accepted Answer

Pass-the-hash

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Question 13

Which utility is designed specifically to provide detailed information about running processes and their privileges?

Accepted Answer

Process Explorer

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Burp Suite

Answer

Nessus

Question 14

Which term describes a user account that possesses administrative privileges by default?

Accepted Answer

Local administrator

Answer

Standard user

Answer

Power user

Answer

Guest account

Question 15

**How do patch management and timely software updates help prevent privilege escalation vulnerabilities?**

Accepted Answer

They fix security flaws that attackers could use to gain higher access.

Answer

They keep unauthorized users out of the system.

Answer

They protect against malware infections.

Answer

They guard against new threats in real-time.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a privilege escalation technique?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Vertical privilege escalation

Answer

Horizontal privilege escalation

Answer

Lateral privilege escalation

Question 17

What vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems?

Accepted Answer

Remote Code Execution

Answer

Buffer Overflow

Answer

Information Leakage

Answer

Denial of Service

Question 18

Which tool is commonly employed to identify and exploit privilege escalation vulnerabilities?

Accepted Answer

Metasploit

Answer

Nmap

Answer

Burp Suite

Answer

Wireshark

Question 19

What is the term for the process of exploiting a vulnerability to elevate privileges?

Accepted Answer

Privilege Escalation

Answer

Exfiltration

Answer

Password Cracking

Answer

Lateral Movement

Question 20

Which best practice helps prevent privilege escalation attacks?

Accepted Answer

Least privilege and regular software patching

Answer

Monitoring system logs diligently

Answer

Using complex passwords only

Question 21

Which technique involves gaining access to sensitive system information?

Accepted Answer

Privilege Dumping

Answer

Port Scanning

Answer

Obfuscation

Answer

Penetration Testing

Question 22

Which method exploits services running with elevated privileges?

Accepted Answer

Service Misconfiguration

Answer

Password Guessing

Answer

Social Engineering

Question 23

What manages access privileges within a system?

Accepted Answer

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Answer

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Answer

Vulnerability Management

Answer

Risk Management