What is it called when a user receives account privileges that they are not allowed to possess?

The situation described pertains to privilege escalation, which occurs when a user gains access to higher-level permissions than they should have. This can happen through various means, such as exploiting software vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or by using social engineering techniques.

Privilege escalation is a significant security concern because it allows users – particularly those with lower-level privileges – to perform actions that can compromise the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of the system or network. For instance, a user with standard access might exploit a vulnerability to gain administrative access, thereby enabling them to manipulate sensitive data or system settings.

Understanding privilege escalation is essential for maintaining security in cloud environments, ensuring that user permissions are properly managed and that any potential vulnerabilities are addressed to prevent unauthorized access.