Definition
Administrative access (also referred to as privileged access or root level access) is an
| “ | advanced level of access to a computer or application that includes the ability to perform significant configuration changes to the computer's operating system. | ” |
Overview
"An intruder with 'root level access' has the highest privileges given to a user working with an operating system or other program and has as much authority on the network as a system administrator, including the authority to access files, alter permissions and privileges, and add or remove accounts."
Source
- NIST Special Publication 800-40, Ver. 2.