privilege escalation

noun

The use of an exploit to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected from an application or user.

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Meanings

nounprivilege escalation (countable and uncountable, plural privilege escalations)

plural privilege escalations

  1. countableuncountablecomputer securityThe use of an exploit to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected from an application or user.
Cite this entry
APA

privilege escalation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/privilege%20escalation

MLA

“privilege escalation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/privilege%20escalation. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “privilege escalation,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/privilege%20escalation.

Source: privilege escalation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.