ELEVATION 2 - Hidden Privileges in Windows

In this lab, you will explore a corporate Windows server, identify exposed credentials, discover a key user's password through brute force, and take advantage of a misconfiguration to escalate privileges and become an administrator.

In this lab, you will learn:

• Enumeration of users and passwords in Windows environments
• Use of Hydra and rockyou.txt for brute force attacks
• Remote access via SSH, SMB, or WinRM
• Privilege escalation in Windows through group misconfiguration
• Reading flags as an administrator user

📄 Instructions

You're facing a Windows server with multiple users. Your goal is to gain administrator privileges by accessing the system as the only user with a dangerous configuration.

1. Find the IP address of the ELEVATION 2 machine.
   Use tools like nmap, netdiscover, or arp-scan.

2. Access the shared file resource (SMB).
   Look for files containing visible usernames and passwords.

3. Perform a brute force attack using Hydra.

4. Log in as the user with hidden privileges.

5. Check if you can escalate to Administrator.

6. Find the final flag.

Remember: sometimes you don't need a technical vulnerability—just a bad security practice.

Happy hacking!