CWE-250βExecution with Unnecessary Privileges
PUBLISHEDweakness recordMedium
released 2006-07-19 Β· last modified 2026-04-30
Metadata
- CWE ID:
- CWE-250
- Abstraction:
- Base
- Structure:
- Simple
- Status:
- Draft
- Release Date:
- 2006-07-19
- Latest Modification Date:
- 2026-04-30
Weakness Name
Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
Description
The product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.
Common Consequences
- Scope:
- Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, Access Control
- Impact:
- Gain Privileges or Assume Identity, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, Read Application Data, DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
- Notes:
- An attacker will be able to gain access to any resources that are allowed by the extra privileges. Common results include executing code, disabling services, and reading restricted data. New weaknesses can be exposed because running with extra privileges, such as root or Administrator, can disable the normal security checks being performed by the operating system or surrounding environment. Other pre-existing weaknesses can turn into security vulnerabilities if they occur while operating at raised privileges.
