Privilege escalation can be classified into two types: vertical and horizontal. Vertical escalation occurs when a user gains higher privileges than intended, while horizontal escalation involves accessing resources at the same privilege level but belonging to another user. Both types pose significant risks to an organization's security posture.
To mitigate privilege escalation risks, organizations should implement strict access controls, regularly review user permissions, and patch vulnerabilities promptly. Monitoring user activity and employing intrusion detection systems can also help identify and prevent unauthorized access attempts, thus safeguarding sensitive data and critical systems.