Windows backup privilege can read any file, bypassing ACLs, making backup software a privilege-escalation target
SeBackupPrivilege lets a process read files and traverse directories regardless of their access control lists, using the documented FILE_FLAG_BACKUP_SEMANTICS mechanism. Its companion, SeRestorePrivilege, allows writing to files the same way, which can enable replacing system binaries. The article notes that Backup Operators is a role-based group, and that membership can expose registry hives, credential material, and directory database contents on domain controllers or member servers. Because these behaviours are documented features rather than vulnerabilities, the author recommends limiting assignments to the smallest set of dedicated, non-interactive accounts and taking extra care with restore rights.
This is an AI-generated summary. ShortSingh links to the original source for the complete article.
Discussion (0)
Log in to join the discussion and vote.
Log in