Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-250

Allowed

Execution with Unnecessary Privileges

Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft

The product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.

612 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-97PG-WR4R-53WR

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-20 12:32 – Updated: 2025-03-20 12:32
VLAI
Details

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in langgenius/dify version 0.9.1. This vulnerability allows a normal user to modify Orchestrate instructions for a chatbot created by an admin user. The issue arises because the application does not properly enforce access controls on the endpoint /console/api/apps/{chatbot-id}/model-config, allowing unauthorized users to alter chatbot configurations.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-11821"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-03-20T10:15:25Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in langgenius/dify version 0.9.1. This vulnerability allows a normal user to modify Orchestrate instructions for a chatbot created by an admin user. The issue arises because the application does not properly enforce access controls on the endpoint /console/api/apps/{chatbot-id}/model-config, allowing unauthorized users to alter chatbot configurations.",
  "id": "GHSA-97pg-wr4r-53wr",
  "modified": "2025-03-20T12:32:42Z",
  "published": "2025-03-20T12:32:42Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-11821"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://huntr.com/bounties/76d5986d-3882-4ea7-81cb-f00400e5c6b6"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-98V3-6PHW-46HC

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-09 06:30 – Updated: 2024-08-26 18:33
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered in Grandstream GXP14XX 1.0.8.9 and GXP16XX 1.0.7.13, allows remote attackers to escalate privileges via incorrect access control using an end-user session-identity token.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-50015"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-03-09T05:15:08Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered in Grandstream GXP14XX 1.0.8.9 and GXP16XX 1.0.7.13, allows remote attackers to escalate privileges via incorrect access control using an end-user session-identity token.",
  "id": "GHSA-98v3-6phw-46hc",
  "modified": "2024-08-26T18:33:32Z",
  "published": "2024-03-09T06:30:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-50015"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/n0obit4/Vulnerability_Disclosure/tree/main/CVE-2023-50015"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-998Q-4G4X-CWCJ

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-15 15:30 – Updated: 2025-10-21 21:33
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability exists in the iHealth command that may allow an authenticated attacker with at least a resource administrator role to bypass tmsh restrictions and gain access to a bash shell.  For BIG-IP systems running in Appliance mode, a successful exploit can allow the attacker to cross a security boundary.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-61958"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-10-15T14:15:57Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability exists in the iHealth command that may allow an authenticated attacker with at least a resource administrator role to bypass tmsh\u00a0restrictions and gain access to a bash shell.\u00a0 For BIG-IP systems running in Appliance mode, a successful exploit can allow the attacker to cross a security boundary.\u00a0\u00a0Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.",
  "id": "GHSA-998q-4g4x-cwcj",
  "modified": "2025-10-21T21:33:30Z",
  "published": "2025-10-15T15:30:28Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-61958"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000154647"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9CJ6-MQJ9-659V

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-18 18:30 – Updated: 2024-11-18 18:30
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability in system file transfer functions of Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain escalated privileges on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of path input to the system file transfer functions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending requests that contain specially crafted path variables to the vulnerable system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files, allowing the attacker to modify the system in such a way that could allow the attacker to gain escalated privileges.Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-26074"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-11-18T16:15:06Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability in system file transfer functions of Cisco\u0026nbsp;SD-WAN vManage Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain escalated privileges on the underlying operating system.\nThe vulnerability is due to improper validation of path input to the system file transfer functions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending requests that contain specially crafted path variables to the vulnerable system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files, allowing the attacker to modify the system in such a way that could allow the attacker to gain escalated privileges.Cisco\u0026nbsp;has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.",
  "id": "GHSA-9cj6-mqj9-659v",
  "modified": "2024-11-18T18:30:55Z",
  "published": "2024-11-18T18:30:55Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-26074"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asa-ssl-dos-7uZWwSEy"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-vmanage-escalation-Jhqs5Skf"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9F82-PR9C-9F3X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-10 21:31 – Updated: 2025-04-10 21:31
VLAI
Details

An improper privilege management vulnerability in the SonicWall NetExtender Windows (32 and 64 bit) client allows a low privileged attacker to modify configurations.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-23008"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-04-10T19:16:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "An improper privilege management vulnerability in the SonicWall NetExtender Windows (32 and 64 bit) client allows a low privileged attacker to modify configurations.",
  "id": "GHSA-9f82-pr9c-9f3x",
  "modified": "2025-04-10T21:31:09Z",
  "published": "2025-04-10T21:31:09Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-23008"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2025-0006"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9GQ5-MWJF-5WF3

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-13 09:30 – Updated: 2024-08-13 09:30
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC NMS (All versions < V3.0). The affected application executes a subset of its services as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. This could allow a local attacker to execute operating system commands with elevated privileges.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-36398"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-08-13T08:15:10Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC NMS (All versions \u003c V3.0). The affected application executes a subset of its services as `NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM`. This could allow a local attacker to execute operating system commands with elevated privileges.",
  "id": "GHSA-9gq5-mwjf-5wf3",
  "modified": "2024-08-13T09:30:52Z",
  "published": "2024-08-13T09:30:52Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-36398"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784301.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9PJ8-7M3M-MH5H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-21 15:30 – Updated: 2026-07-21 15:30
VLAI
Details

A sandbox confinement bypass vulnerability exists in Canonical snapd within its internal execution environment compiler (snap-confine). The default seccomp security templates generated by the engine to restrict system calls do not filter or reject process operations capable of creating or manipulating file execution flags with set-user-ID attributes. Consequently, an application running within a strictly confined snap environment can successfully compile or drop binaries and apply setuid properties to them. If a compromised or malicious process inside the snap sandbox executes these generated setuid binaries, it can potentially circumvent architectural sandboxing assumptions, drop intended restriction policies, or execute privileged actions inside the container namespace that should otherwise be strictly blocked. The vulnerability has been resolved by hardening the seccomp template engine to block the execution and creation of setuid executables by sandboxed snap processes.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-15226"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-21T15:16:31Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A sandbox confinement bypass vulnerability exists in Canonical snapd within its internal execution environment compiler (snap-confine). The default seccomp security templates generated by the engine to restrict system calls do not filter or reject process operations capable of creating or manipulating file execution flags with set-user-ID attributes.  Consequently, an application running within a strictly confined snap environment can successfully compile or drop binaries and apply setuid properties to them. If a compromised or malicious process inside the snap sandbox executes these generated setuid binaries, it can potentially circumvent architectural sandboxing assumptions, drop intended restriction policies, or execute privileged actions inside the container namespace that should otherwise be strictly blocked. The vulnerability has been resolved by hardening the seccomp template engine to block the execution and creation of setuid executables by sandboxed snap processes.",
  "id": "GHSA-9pj8-7m3m-mh5h",
  "modified": "2026-07-21T15:30:44Z",
  "published": "2026-07-21T15:30:44Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-15226"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-15226"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9VMX-QV98-7735

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-14 03:31 – Updated: 2024-07-04 06:35
VLAI
Details

Toshiba printers use SNMP for configuration. Using the private community, it is possible to remotely execute commands as root on the remote printer. Using this vulnerability will allow any attacker to get a root access on a remote Toshiba printer. This vulnerability can be executed in combination with other vulnerabilities and difficult to execute alone. So, the CVSS score for this vulnerability alone is lower than the score listed in the "Base Score" of this vulnerability. For detail on related other vulnerabilities, please ask to the below contact point. https://www.toshibatec.com/contacts/products/ As for the affected products/models/versions, see the reference URL.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-27143"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-06-14T03:15:10Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Toshiba printers use SNMP for configuration. Using the private community, it is possible to remotely execute commands as root on the remote printer. Using this vulnerability will allow any attacker to get a root access on a remote Toshiba printer. This vulnerability can be executed in combination with other vulnerabilities and  difficult to execute alone.\u00a0So, the CVSS score for this vulnerability alone is lower than the score listed in the \"Base Score\" of this vulnerability.\u00a0For detail on related other vulnerabilities, please ask to the below contact point.\n https://www.toshibatec.com/contacts/products/ \nAs for the affected products/models/versions, see the reference URL.",
  "id": "GHSA-9vmx-qv98-7735",
  "modified": "2024-07-04T06:35:01Z",
  "published": "2024-06-14T03:31:19Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27143"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://jvn.jp/en/vu/JVNVU97136265/index.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.toshibatec.com/information/20240531_01.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.toshibatec.com/information/pdf/information20240531_01.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jul/1"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9X9C-RV2F-M4V9

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-02 15:31 – Updated: 2025-09-02 15:31
VLAI
Details

In BootRom, there is a possible unchecked write address. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-38694"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-09-01T08:15:32Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "In BootRom, there is a possible unchecked write address. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed.",
  "id": "GHSA-9x9c-rv2f-m4v9",
  "modified": "2025-09-02T15:31:07Z",
  "published": "2025-09-02T15:31:07Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-38694"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.nccgroup.com/research-blog/there-s-another-hole-in-your-soc-unisoc-rom-vulnerabilities"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-C23G-CGV4-P67J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-09 12:32 – Updated: 2026-06-09 12:32
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC INS (All versions < V1.0 SP2 Update 6). The affected system includes a binary that is configured with the cap_dac_override capability. This capability allows the process to bypass file system permission checks, resulting in unrestricted file system access. This could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges leading to arbitrary file modification and gaining root privileges on the system.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-46748"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-06-09T10:16:44Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC INS (All versions \u003c V1.0 SP2 Update 6). The affected system includes a binary that is configured with the cap_dac_override capability. This capability allows the process to bypass file system permission checks, resulting in unrestricted file system access. This could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges leading to arbitrary file modification and gaining root privileges on the system.",
  "id": "GHSA-c23g-cgv4-p67j",
  "modified": "2026-06-09T12:32:04Z",
  "published": "2026-06-09T12:32:04Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-46748"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-860189.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation MIT-17
Architecture and Design Operation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.

Mitigation MIT-18
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Separation of Privilege

Identify the functionality that requires additional privileges, such as access to privileged operating system resources. Wrap and centralize this functionality if possible, and isolate the privileged code as much as possible from other code [REF-76]. Raise privileges as late as possible, and drop them as soon as possible to avoid CWE-271. Avoid weaknesses such as CWE-288 and CWE-420 by protecting all possible communication channels that could interact with the privileged code, such as a secondary socket that is only intended to be accessed by administrators.

Mitigation MIT-18
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction

Identify the functionality that requires additional privileges, such as access to privileged operating system resources. Wrap and centralize this functionality if possible, and isolate the privileged code as much as possible from other code [REF-76]. Raise privileges as late as possible, and drop them as soon as possible to avoid CWE-271. Avoid weaknesses such as CWE-288 and CWE-420 by protecting all possible communication channels that could interact with the privileged code, such as a secondary socket that is only intended to be accessed by administrators.

Mitigation
Implementation

Perform extensive input validation for any privileged code that must be exposed to the user and reject anything that does not fit your strict requirements.

Mitigation MIT-19
Implementation

When dropping privileges, ensure that they have been dropped successfully to avoid CWE-273. As protection mechanisms in the environment get stronger, privilege-dropping calls may fail even if it seems like they would always succeed.

Mitigation
Implementation

If circumstances force you to run with extra privileges, then determine the minimum access level necessary. First identify the different permissions that the software and its users will need to perform their actions, such as file read and write permissions, network socket permissions, and so forth. Then explicitly allow those actions while denying all else [REF-76]. Perform extensive input validation and canonicalization to minimize the chances of introducing a separate vulnerability. This mitigation is much more prone to error than dropping the privileges in the first place.

Mitigation MIT-37
Operation System Configuration

Strategy: Environment Hardening

Ensure that the software runs properly under the United States Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) [REF-199] or an equivalent hardening configuration guide, which many organizations use to limit the attack surface and potential risk of deployed software.

CAPEC-104: Cross Zone Scripting

An attacker is able to cause a victim to load content into their web-browser that bypasses security zone controls and gain access to increased privileges to execute scripting code or other web objects such as unsigned ActiveX controls or applets. This is a privilege elevation attack targeted at zone-based web-browser security.

CAPEC-470: Expanding Control over the Operating System from the Database

An attacker is able to leverage access gained to the database to read / write data to the file system, compromise the operating system, create a tunnel for accessing the host machine, and use this access to potentially attack other machines on the same network as the database machine. Traditionally SQL injections attacks are viewed as a way to gain unauthorized read access to the data stored in the database, modify the data in the database, delete the data, etc. However, almost every data base management system (DBMS) system includes facilities that if compromised allow an attacker complete access to the file system, operating system, and full access to the host running the database. The attacker can then use this privileged access to launch subsequent attacks. These facilities include dropping into a command shell, creating user defined functions that can call system level libraries present on the host machine, stored procedures, etc.

CAPEC-69: Target Programs with Elevated Privileges

This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The adversary tries to leverage a vulnerability in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges.