What is the term for exploiting vulnerabilities to gain higher access rights within a system?

The term for exploiting vulnerabilities to gain higher access rights within a system is known as privilege escalation. This process involves an attacker leveraging flaws or weaknesses in a system or application to elevate their permissions or access levels beyond those originally granted.

Privilege escalation can occur in various forms, such as vertical escalation, where a user gains higher permissions than what they should have, or horizontal escalation, where a user accesses someone else's permissions at the same level. This tactic is crucial for attackers aiming to control systems or extract sensitive information without authorization.

Understanding this term is vital for recognizing potential security threats and implementing robust countermeasures to protect sensitive systems from unauthorized access.