cyberstrikeus T1626 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
High-Level Description
Adversaries may circumvent mechanisms designed to control elevated privileges to gain higher-level permissions. Most modern systems contain native elevation control mechanisms that are intended to limit privileges that a user can gain on a machine. Authorization has to be granted to specific users in order to perform tasks that are designated as higher risk. An adversary can use several methods to take advantage of built-in control mechanisms in order to escalate privileges on a system.
Kill Chain Phase
- Privilege Escalation (TA0029)
Platforms: Android
What to Check
- Identify if Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism technique is applicable to target mobile environment
- Check Android devices for indicators of Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
- Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
- Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)
How to Test
Identify Attack Surface
Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism by examining the target platforms (Android).
Assess Existing Defenses
Review whether mitigations for T1626 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.
Remediation Guide
M1013 Application Developer Guidance
Applications very rarely require administrator permission. Developers should be cautioned against using this higher degree of access to avoid being flagged as a potentially malicious application.
Detection
Detection of Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism technique applicable | High | Privilege Escalation |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-269 | Improper Privilege Management |