Breaking Out of the Sandbox
A government IT security team leveraged CAI to simulate real-world privilege escalation attacks from a non-privileged user context. The result: validated controls, targeted hardening, and reduced insider threat exposure across 35,000+ managed endpoints.
Endpoint Privilege Escalation Testing
CLIENT PROFILE
Government Agency IT Security
15,000+ managed endpoints | Standardized builds | Strict access controls
THE CHALLENGE
The Insider Threat Question
Endpoints were locked down with standard builds, restricted user privileges, and endpoint protection. But the critical question remained unanswered: if an attacker gains access to a user's workstation—through phishing or physical access—how far can they go?
- Unknown effectiveness of privilege restrictions
- No testing of local security controls under real attack
- Inability to validate endpoint hardening measures
- Persistence and lateral movement risks from workstations
THE SOLUTION
Real-World Privilege Escalation Testing
CAI executed from standard user accounts on managed workstations, simulating an attacker's perspective. The platform tested for privilege escalation through known exploits, configuration weaknesses, and permission errors, then attempted to establish persistence and move laterally.
- Executed from non-privileged user context
- Automated discovery of privilege escalation vectors
- Configuration weakness and vulnerable software detection
- Persistence mechanism and lateral movement testing
THE RESULTS
Endpoints Hardened
IMPACT
The endpoint team implemented targeted hardening based on real attack paths.
Software update policies were revised, permission structures were overhauled, and monitoring was enhanced at escalation points. The organization moved from hoping endpoints were secure to proving it.
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