During which phase does an attacker seek to increase their permissions to perform higher-level operations?

The phase in which an attacker seeks to increase their permissions to perform higher-level operations is known as Escalating Privileges. During this stage, the attacker typically has already gained initial access to the system but lacks the necessary permissions to execute more impactful actions, such as installing malware or accessing sensitive data. By escalating privileges, the attacker can obtain administrator rights or other elevated permissions, allowing them to carry out further malicious activities that could compromise the entire system or network.

This phase is a critical step because without elevated permissions, the attacker may be limited in what they can do, potentially hindering their objective. Techniques used for privilege escalation may include exploiting software vulnerabilities, using misconfigurations, or leveraging social engineering techniques. Understanding this phase is essential for both attackers and defenders, as it highlights the importance of controlling user permissions and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate attempts to escalate privileges.