TA0004 · PRIVILEGE ESCALATION
Token Impersonation/Theft
Adversaries may duplicate then impersonate another user's existing token to escalate privileges and bypass access controls. For example, an adversary can duplicate an existing token using DuplicateToken or DuplicateTokenEx.
Detect it with
If an adversary is using a standard command-line shell, analysts can detect token manipulation by auditing command-line activity. Specifically, analysts should look for use of the runas command.
Why it matters on shift
Token Impersonation/Theft is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve privilege escalation. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After privilege escalation, the next tactic is usually Defense Evasion. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context