CWE-426
Allowed-with-ReviewUntrusted Search Path
Abstraction: Base · Status: Stable
The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
895 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-94JH-J374-9R3J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-16 09:30 – Updated: 2025-01-10 15:53Relative library resolution in linux container-executor binary in Apache Hadoop 3.3.1-3.3.4 on Linux allows local user to gain root privileges. If the YARN cluster is accepting work from remote (authenticated) users, this MAY permit remote users to gain root privileges.
Hadoop 3.3.0 updated the " YARN Secure Containers https://hadoop.apache.org/docs/stable/hadoop-yarn/hadoop-yarn-site/SecureContainer.html " to add a feature for executing user-submitted applications in isolated linux containers.
The native binary HADOOP_HOME/bin/container-executor is used to launch these containers; it must be owned by root and have the suid bit set in order for the YARN processes to run the containers as the specific users submitting the jobs.
The patch " YARN-10495 https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/YARN-10495 . make the rpath of container-executor configurable" modified the library loading path for loading .so files from "$ORIGIN/" to ""$ORIGIN/:../lib/native/". This is the a path through which libcrypto.so is located. Thus it is is possible for a user with reduced privileges to install a malicious libcrypto library into a path to which they have write access, invoke the container-executor command, and have their modified library executed as root. If the YARN cluster is accepting work from remote (authenticated) users, and these users' submitted job are executed in the physical host, rather than a container, then the CVE permits remote users to gain root privileges.
The fix for the vulnerability is to revert the change, which is done in YARN-11441 https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/YARN-11441 , "Revert YARN-10495". This patch is in hadoop-3.3.5.
To determine whether a version of container-executor is vulnerable, use the readelf command. If the RUNPATH or RPATH value contains the relative path "./lib/native/" then it is at risk
$ readelf -d container-executor|grep 'RUNPATH|RPATH' 0x000000000000001d (RUNPATH) Library runpath: [$ORIGIN/:../lib/native/]
If it does not, then it is safe:
$ readelf -d container-executor|grep 'RUNPATH|RPATH' 0x000000000000001d (RUNPATH) Library runpath: [$ORIGIN/]
For an at-risk version of container-executor to enable privilege escalation, the owner must be root and the suid bit must be set
$ ls -laF /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor ---Sr-s---. 1 root hadoop 802968 May 9 20:21 /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor
A safe installation lacks the suid bit; ideally is also not owned by root.
$ ls -laF /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor -rwxr-xr-x. 1 yarn hadoop 802968 May 9 20:21 /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor
This configuration does not support Yarn Secure Containers, but all other hadoop services, including YARN job execution outside secure containers continue to work.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.apache.hadoop:hadoop-yarn-project"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "3.3.1"
},
{
"fixed": "3.3.5"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-26031"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2023-11-16T21:02:11Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-16T09:15:06Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Relative library resolution in linux container-executor binary in Apache Hadoop 3.3.1-3.3.4 on Linux allows local user to gain root privileges. If the YARN cluster is accepting work from remote (authenticated) users, this MAY permit remote users to gain root privileges.\n\nHadoop 3.3.0 updated the \" YARN Secure Containers https://hadoop.apache.org/docs/stable/hadoop-yarn/hadoop-yarn-site/SecureContainer.html \" to add a feature for executing user-submitted applications in isolated linux containers.\n\nThe native binary HADOOP_HOME/bin/container-executor is used to launch these containers; it must be owned by root and have the suid bit set in order for the YARN processes to run the containers as the specific users submitting the jobs.\n\nThe patch \" YARN-10495 https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/YARN-10495 . make the rpath of container-executor configurable\" modified the library loading path for loading .so files from \"$ORIGIN/\" to \"\"$ORIGIN/:../lib/native/\". This is the a path through which libcrypto.so is located. Thus it is is possible for a user with reduced privileges to install a malicious libcrypto library into a path to which they have write access, invoke the container-executor command, and have their modified library executed as root.\nIf the YARN cluster is accepting work from remote (authenticated) users, and these users\u0027 submitted job are executed in the physical host, rather than a container, then the CVE permits remote users to gain root privileges.\n\nThe fix for the vulnerability is to revert the change, which is done in YARN-11441 https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/YARN-11441 , \"Revert YARN-10495\". This patch is in hadoop-3.3.5.\n\nTo determine whether a version of container-executor is vulnerable, use the readelf command. If the RUNPATH or RPATH value contains the relative path \"./lib/native/\" then it is at risk\n\n$ readelf -d container-executor|grep \u0027RUNPATH\\|RPATH\u0027 \n0x000000000000001d (RUNPATH) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Library runpath: [$ORIGIN/:../lib/native/]\n\nIf it does not, then it is safe:\n\n$ readelf -d container-executor|grep \u0027RUNPATH\\|RPATH\u0027 \n0x000000000000001d (RUNPATH) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Library runpath: [$ORIGIN/]\n\nFor an at-risk version of container-executor to enable privilege escalation, the owner must be root and the suid bit must be set\n\n$ ls -laF /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor\n---Sr-s---. 1 root hadoop 802968 May 9 20:21 /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor\n\nA safe installation lacks the suid bit; ideally is also not owned by root.\n\n$ ls -laF /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor\n-rwxr-xr-x. 1 yarn hadoop 802968 May 9 20:21 /opt/hadoop/bin/container-executor\n\nThis configuration does not support Yarn Secure Containers, but all other hadoop services, including YARN job execution outside secure containers continue to work.",
"id": "GHSA-94jh-j374-9r3j",
"modified": "2025-01-10T15:53:10Z",
"published": "2023-11-16T09:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26031"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/hadoop/commit/10e7ca481c8cd0548d903d39d8581291e533bf12"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/hadoop/commit/7d3c8ef6064efd132828765e52e961977aebbf47"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/hadoop"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hadoop.apache.org/cve_list.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/YARN-11441"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread/q9qpdlv952gb4kphpndd5phvl7fkh71r"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240112-0001"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Apache Hadoop allows local user to gain root privileges"
}
GHSA-95F9-G2G4-WP38
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:08 – Updated: 2022-06-07 00:00The OpenSSL component of the Teradici PCoIP Standard Agent prior to version 21.07.0 was compiled without the no-autoload-config option, which allowed an attacker to elevate to the privileges of the running process via placing a specially crafted dll in a build configuration directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-25698"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-07-21T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The OpenSSL component of the Teradici PCoIP Standard Agent prior to version 21.07.0 was compiled without the no-autoload-config option, which allowed an attacker to elevate to the privileges of the running process via placing a specially crafted dll in a build configuration directory.",
"id": "GHSA-95f9-g2g4-wp38",
"modified": "2022-06-07T00:00:36Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:08:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25698"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://advisory.teradici.com/security-advisories/102"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-95GW-MF46-9JH4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:40 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:40Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer of electronic tendering and bid opening system available prior to May 25, 2017 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-2178"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-09T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer of electronic tendering and bid opening system available prior to May 25, 2017 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.",
"id": "GHSA-95gw-mf46-9jh4",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:40:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:40:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-2178"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN75514460/index.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mod.go.jp/atla/souhon/cals/nyusatsu_top.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98725"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-97CV-XR93-496P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-09 00:30 – Updated: 2026-03-09 00:30A weakness has been identified in UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 on Windows. This affects an unknown function in the library cryptbase.dll of the component Windows Service. This manipulation causes uncontrolled search path. The attack requires local access. A high degree of complexity is needed for the attack. The exploitability is reported as difficult. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-3787"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-08T23:15:50Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A weakness has been identified in UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 on Windows. This affects an unknown function in the library cryptbase.dll of the component Windows Service. This manipulation causes uncontrolled search path. The attack requires local access. A high degree of complexity is needed for the attack. The exploitability is reported as difficult. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.",
"id": "GHSA-97cv-xr93-496p",
"modified": "2026-03-09T00:30:13Z",
"published": "2026-03-09T00:30:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-3787"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ixv_1i4D2VrZWyl4RKsvFcN1AMF_qNx/view"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.349754"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.349754"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.767257"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-97P5-8VV4-5X5Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:34 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:34The Whale browser installer 0.4.3.0 and earlier versions allows DLL hijacking.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-12449"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-10-11T13:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The Whale browser installer 0.4.3.0 and earlier versions allows DLL hijacking.",
"id": "GHSA-97p5-8vv4-5x5q",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:34:47Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:34:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12449"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cve.naver.com/detail/cve-2018-12449"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-98CG-F2R6-JQ5C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-10 21:31 – Updated: 2024-09-10 21:31DLL hijacking in the management console of Ivanti Workspace Control version 10.18.0.0 and below allows a local authenticated attacker to escalate their privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-44103"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-10T21:15:13Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL hijacking in the management console of Ivanti Workspace Control version 10.18.0.0 and below allows a local authenticated attacker to escalate their privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-98cg-f2r6-jq5c",
"modified": "2024-09-10T21:31:39Z",
"published": "2024-09-10T21:31:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-44103"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/Security-Advisory-Ivanti-Workspace-Control-IWC"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-98P4-3PV5-4M4W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:35 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:35A DLL hijacking vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric's SoMove Software and associated DTM software components in all versions prior to 2.6.2 which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-7239"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-03-09T23:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL hijacking vulnerability exists in Schneider Electric\u0027s SoMove Software and associated DTM software components in all versions prior to 2.6.2 which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.",
"id": "GHSA-98p4-3pv5-4m4w",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:35:50Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:35:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-7239"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-065-02"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/download/document/SEVD-2018-060-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103338"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9C2C-8X33-XRJV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:44 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:44In Sophos Tester Tool 3.2.0.7 Beta, the driver loads (in the context of the application used to test an exploit or ransomware) the DLL using a payload that runs from NTDLL.DLL (so, it's run in userland), but the driver doesn't perform any validation of this DLL (not its signature, not its hash, etc.). A person can change this DLL in a local way, or with a remote connection, to a malicious DLL with the same name -- and when the product is used, this malicious DLL will be loaded, aka a DLL Hijacking attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-6318"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-02-02T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Sophos Tester Tool 3.2.0.7 Beta, the driver loads (in the context of the application used to test an exploit or ransomware) the DLL using a payload that runs from NTDLL.DLL (so, it\u0027s run in userland), but the driver doesn\u0027t perform any validation of this DLL (not its signature, not its hash, etc.). A person can change this DLL in a local way, or with a remote connection, to a malicious DLL with the same name -- and when the product is used, this malicious DLL will be loaded, aka a DLL Hijacking attack.",
"id": "GHSA-9c2c-8x33-xrjv",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:44:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:44:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-6318"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://29wspy.ru/exploits/CVE-2018-6318.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9FPH-4PG5-Q5JH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-08 18:33 – Updated: 2024-10-08 18:33Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-43616"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-08T18:15:30Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-9fph-4pg5-q5jh",
"modified": "2024-10-08T18:33:17Z",
"published": "2024-10-08T18:33:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-43616"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-43616"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9FR2-P65V-GQXQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-16 21:31 – Updated: 2026-06-18 13:03Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-fq9j-vw4w-fr6v. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains an environment variable injection vulnerability allowing workspace .env files to influence Python runtime selection through CLOUDSDK_PYTHON during Gmail setup gcloud execution. Attackers with repository access can manipulate the CLOUDSDK_PYTHON variable to execute setup through unintended local Python paths, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c 2026.5.2"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "openclaw"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-06-18T13:03:59Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-16T19:17:01Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "## Duplicate Advisory\n\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of\u00a0GHSA-fq9j-vw4w-fr6v. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n## Original Description\nOpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains an environment variable injection vulnerability allowing workspace .env files to influence Python runtime selection through CLOUDSDK_PYTHON during Gmail setup gcloud execution. Attackers with repository access can manipulate the CLOUDSDK_PYTHON variable to execute setup through unintended local Python paths, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-9fr2-p65v-gqxq",
"modified": "2026-06-18T13:03:59Z",
"published": "2026-06-16T21:31:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-fq9j-vw4w-fr6v"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53842"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-python-runtime-execution-via-cloudsdk-python-environment-variable"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Duplicate Advisory: Workspace .env CLOUDSDK_PYTHON could influence Gmail setup gcloud execution",
"withdrawn": "2026-06-18T13:03:59Z"
}
Mitigation
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
Hard-code the search path to a set of known-safe values (such as system directories), or only allow them to be specified by the administrator in a configuration file. Do not allow these settings to be modified by an external party. Be careful to avoid related weaknesses such as CWE-426 and CWE-428.
Mitigation
When invoking other programs, specify those programs using fully-qualified pathnames. While this is an effective approach, code that uses fully-qualified pathnames might not be portable to other systems that do not use the same pathnames. The portability can be improved by locating the full-qualified paths in a centralized, easily-modifiable location within the source code, and having the code refer to these paths.
Mitigation
Remove or restrict all environment settings before invoking other programs. This includes the PATH environment variable, LD_LIBRARY_PATH, and other settings that identify the location of code libraries, and any application-specific search paths.
Mitigation
Check your search path before use and remove any elements that are likely to be unsafe, such as the current working directory or a temporary files directory.
Mitigation
Use other functions that require explicit paths. Making use of any of the other readily available functions that require explicit paths is a safe way to avoid this problem. For example, system() in C does not require a full path since the shell can take care of it, while execl() and execv() require a full path.
CAPEC-38: Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths
This pattern of attack sees an adversary load a malicious resource into a program's standard path so that when a known command is executed then the system instead executes the malicious component. The adversary can either modify the search path a program uses, like a PATH variable or classpath, or they can manipulate resources on the path to point to their malicious components. J2EE applications and other component based applications that are built from multiple binaries can have very long list of dependencies to execute. If one of these libraries and/or references is controllable by the attacker then application controls can be circumvented by the attacker.