Registry and File System Vulnerabilities

Registry and File System Vulnerabilities

Windows registry misconfigurations create numerous privilege escalation opportunities. Weak permissions on registry keys controlling services, scheduled tasks, or auto-start programs enable persistence and escalation. AlwaysInstallElevated registry settings allow MSI installation with SYSTEM privileges. Stored credentials in registry keys provide direct access to privileged accounts. Manual registry analysis complements automated tools for comprehensive coverage.

File system permissions on critical directories enable various attacks. World-writable directories in system PATH allow binary planting for DLL hijacking or command substitution. Weak permissions on program directories enable replacing legitimate executables. Temporary directory race conditions in privileged programs provide time-of-check to time-of-use exploitation opportunities. Systematic permission analysis reveals these subtle vulnerabilities.

Alternate Data Streams (ADS) hide malicious content within legitimate files, evading casual detection. While not directly escalating privileges, ADS enables persistent payload storage and defense evasion. Privileged programs processing files with ADS might execute hidden content. Understanding NTFS features like ADS develops deeper Windows expertise valuable for advanced exploitation.

Symbolic link attacks on Windows exploit privileged file operations to achieve escalation. Creating symbolic links pointing sensitive files to attacker-controlled locations enables reading or modifying protected content. Junction points and hard links provide similar capabilities with different constraints. These techniques prove particularly effective against backup software and system maintenance tools.