

Compare it with the token of a process run by the same user, but executed just by double-clicking on the icon. Such token could have been created because someone used the “Run As Administrator” option from the context menu on the cmd.exe application. We can assume that anything running in High (or System) integrity level, has administrative rights. Also, what’s not seen on this screenshot, is that the process is running in the so-called High integrity mode. The yellow box highlights the fact that this user is a member of the Administrators group. It doesn’t matter, whether they are Disabled or Enabled – the important thing is that they are present on the list, thus they can be enabled if needed. In the red box, we can see the owner of the token, while in the green box, we can see associated privileges. You can inspect the process token in several ways, eg., by checking properties of a process in Process Explorer and going to the Security tab. Typically (but not always), the thread inherits token from its process, and the process inherits the token from the user who owns the process (but not always, again). This token includes several interesting information, but this article, we should focus on the integrity level and associated privileges. In Windows, every process or thread has assigned token.

#Osk exe alternative windows
The secure desktop shouldn’t be confused with virtual desktops, added in Windows 10. While sitting in front of your computer, you can interact with its windows, but the same cannot happen in a remote session or through a script. Only the most privileged users (Local System) within the system have access to it. If configured properly, UAC displays its prompt on a special desktop, named “Winlogon” (aka Secure Desktop). Requesting them typically requires just clicking on the “Yes” button, but even though it sounds easy to emulate with scripting, it really isn’t. To prevent them, Microsoft introduced a concept known as User Account Control – when enabled even an administrative account doesn’t have those dangerous privileges – they have to be explicitly requested. Accidental removal or modification of system files, modification of security settings (disabled AV protection), accessing data of other users for malicious purposes – those are some examples of unintended (or maliciously intended) actions. Without UAC, any action performed using an administrative account could have destructive results. It was introduced to the Windows world to address a specific issue: people tend to work using administrative accounts with serious system rights. No matter if you’re a security expert, administrator, or just a regular user – you have seen UAC prompt at some point. The acronym UAC stands for User Account Control, a part of the system which is present in every version of Windows since Vista. Before we dive into this, we need to briefly explain what UAC is. In this article, we will analyze a couple of knowns, still working, UAC bypasses – how they work, what are the requirements, and potential mitigation techniques.
