Horizontal Privilege Escalation
Horizontal privilege escalation refers to a type of security vulnerability in computer systems where a user gains unauthorized access to the same level of permission as another user. This means that someone who only has basic level access to a system can gain the same level of access as a more powerful user or administrator.
This type of privilege escalation can occur when there are flaws in the security settings or access controls of a system. For example, if a user is able to bypass the authentication process and gain access to the same resources as an administrator, they could potentially take control of the system, access sensitive information or cause other malicious harm.
To prevent horizontal privilege escalation, it is important to have strong access controls in place, such as requiring multiple forms of authentication, limiting user permissions to only what is necessary for their job function, and regularly reviewing and updating security settings to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
In summary, horizontal privilege escalation is a security vulnerability that can allow an unauthorized user to gain the same level of access and permissions as another user or administrator, potentially leading to malicious actions and damage to the system.