CWE-427
Allowed-with-ReviewUncontrolled Search Path Element
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.
1879 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-CJ9P-J3HG-5XMV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-24 15:30 – Updated: 2025-01-24 15:30DLL hijacking vulnerabilities, caused by an uncontrolled search path in the
ToolStick
installer can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when running the impacted installer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-9493"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-24T15:15:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL hijacking vulnerabilities, caused by an uncontrolled search path in the\u00a0\n\nToolStick\n\n installer can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when running the impacted installer.",
"id": "GHSA-cj9p-j3hg-5xmv",
"modified": "2025-01-24T15:30:48Z",
"published": "2025-01-24T15:30:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9493"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://community.silabs.com/068Vm00000JUQwd"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CJCV-G54M-PC49
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-06 00:00 – Updated: 2022-05-13 00:01On F5 BIG-IP APM 16.1.x versions prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x versions prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x versions prior to 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x versions prior to 13.1.5, and all versions of 12.1.x and 11.6.x, as well as F5 BIG-IP APM Clients 7.x versions prior to 7.2.1.5, a DLL Hijacking vulnerability exists in the BIG-IP Edge Client Windows Installer. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-28714"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-05T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "On F5 BIG-IP APM 16.1.x versions prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x versions prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x versions prior to 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x versions prior to 13.1.5, and all versions of 12.1.x and 11.6.x, as well as F5 BIG-IP APM Clients 7.x versions prior to 7.2.1.5, a DLL Hijacking vulnerability exists in the BIG-IP Edge Client Windows Installer. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated",
"id": "GHSA-cjcv-g54m-pc49",
"modified": "2022-05-13T00:01:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-06T00:00:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-28714"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K54460845"
}
],
"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-CJP5-2C5H-3735
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-20 18:31 – Updated: 2026-02-27 18:31Uncontrolled Search Path Element in Owl opds 2.2.0.4 allows Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths via a crafted network request.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-26099"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-20T17:25:54Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled Search Path Element in Owl opds 2.2.0.4 allows Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths via a crafted network request.",
"id": "GHSA-cjp5-2c5h-3735",
"modified": "2026-02-27T18:31:01Z",
"published": "2026-02-20T18:31:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-26099"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.nozominetworks.com/labs/vulnerability-advisories-cve-2026-26099"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-CJV2-PC8W-RJFQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-12 15:30 – Updated: 2026-06-12 15:30MobaXterm Personal Edition (Portable), in its 26.3 version (Build 5154), allows arbitrary code execution by loading a malicious DLL located in the same directory as the portable executable. Because the application automatically loads the winspool.drv library from that location during startup, an attacker with local access can place a specially crafted DLL alongside the executable to be executed when the victim launches the application.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-11967"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-12T14:16:30Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "MobaXterm Personal Edition (Portable), in its 26.3 version (Build 5154), allows arbitrary code execution by loading a malicious DLL located in the same directory as the portable executable. Because the application automatically loads the winspool.drv library from that location during startup, an attacker with local access can place a specially crafted DLL alongside the executable to be executed when the victim launches the application.",
"id": "GHSA-cjv2-pc8w-rjfq",
"modified": "2026-06-12T15:30:34Z",
"published": "2026-06-12T15:30:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11967"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/multiple-vulnerabilities-mobateks-mobaxterm-personal-edition-portable"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-CJVM-95QV-84M2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-14 21:31 – Updated: 2023-11-14 21:31Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) RealSense(TM) Dynamic Calibration software before version 2.13.1.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-29504"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-14T19:15:24Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) RealSense(TM) Dynamic Calibration software before version 2.13.1.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-cjvm-95qv-84m2",
"modified": "2023-11-14T21:31:01Z",
"published": "2023-11-14T21:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29504"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00871.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CJWF-2PH9-3JPR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:36 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:36A DLL Hijack issue was discovered in Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench (CCW). The following versions are affected: Connected Components Workbench - Developer Edition, v9.01.00 and earlier: 9328-CCWDEVENE, 9328-CCWDEVZHE, 9328-CCWDEVFRE, 9328-CCWDEVITE, 9328-CCWDEVDEE, 9328-CCWDEVESE, and 9328-CCWDEVPTE; and Connected Components Workbench - Free Standard Edition (All Supported Languages), v9.01.00 and earlier. Certain DLLs included with versions of CCW software can be potentially hijacked to allow an attacker to gain rights to a victim's affected personal computer. Such access rights can be at the same or potentially higher level of privileges as the compromised user account, including and up to computer administrator privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5176"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-05-19T03:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL Hijack issue was discovered in Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench (CCW). The following versions are affected: Connected Components Workbench - Developer Edition, v9.01.00 and earlier: 9328-CCWDEVENE, 9328-CCWDEVZHE, 9328-CCWDEVFRE, 9328-CCWDEVITE, 9328-CCWDEVDEE, 9328-CCWDEVESE, and 9328-CCWDEVPTE; and Connected Components Workbench - Free Standard Edition (All Supported Languages), v9.01.00 and earlier. Certain DLLs included with versions of CCW software can be potentially hijacked to allow an attacker to gain rights to a victim\u0027s affected personal computer. Such access rights can be at the same or potentially higher level of privileges as the compromised user account, including and up to computer administrator privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-cjwf-2ph9-3jpr",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:36:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:36:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5176"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-047-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97000"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CM6Q-R84P-PCWG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:46 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:34Code injection vulnerability in Trend Micro Maximum Security 11.0 (and earlier), Internet Security 11.0 (and earlier), and Antivirus+ Security 11.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Trend Micro process via a "DoubleAgent" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5565"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-03-21T16:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Code injection vulnerability in Trend Micro Maximum Security 11.0 (and earlier), Internet Security 11.0 (and earlier), and Antivirus+ Security 11.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Trend Micro process via a \"DoubleAgent\" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.",
"id": "GHSA-cm6q-r84p-pcwg",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:34:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:46:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5565"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/1116957"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagent-taking-full-control-antivirus"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagentzero-day-code-injection-and-persistence-technique"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97031"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038206"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CMCX-H36R-GRRW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:18 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:18A Windows privilege change issue was discovered in Splashtop Software Updater before 1.5.6.16. Insecure permissions on the configuration file and named pipe allow for local privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM, by forcing a permission change to any Splashtop files and directories, with resultant DLL hijacking. This product is bundled with Splashtop Streamer (before 3.3.8.0) and Splashtop Business (before 3.3.8.0).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-12431"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-05-21T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A Windows privilege change issue was discovered in Splashtop Software Updater before 1.5.6.16. Insecure permissions on the configuration file and named pipe allow for local privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM, by forcing a permission change to any Splashtop files and directories, with resultant DLL hijacking. This product is bundled with Splashtop Streamer (before 3.3.8.0) and Splashtop Business (before 3.3.8.0).",
"id": "GHSA-cmcx-h36r-grrw",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:18:14Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:18:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-12431"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://improsec.com/tech-blog/privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-splashtop-streamer"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support-splashtopbusiness.splashtop.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042648231-Splashtop-Streamer-version-3-3-8-0-for-Windows-released-includes-SOS-version-3-3-8-0"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CMGW-8J2G-5PMJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-01 21:31 – Updated: 2026-09-01 21:31Konga before 2.1.0 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privileged local attackers to execute arbitrary code by planting attacker-controlled OpenSSL configuration or library files in a hardcoded filesystem path absent from default installations. On Windows, the missing directory resides in a location writable by any authenticated local user, enabling attackers to create the directory and place malicious files that execute at the privilege level of the user or service account that launches Konga, facilitating privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-45221"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-01T20:17:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Konga before 2.1.0 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privileged local attackers to execute arbitrary code by planting attacker-controlled OpenSSL configuration or library files in a hardcoded filesystem path absent from default installations. On Windows, the missing directory resides in a location writable by any authenticated local user, enabling attackers to create the directory and place malicious files that execute at the privilege level of the user or service account that launches Konga, facilitating privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-cmgw-8j2g-5pmj",
"modified": "2026-09-01T21:31:46Z",
"published": "2026-09-01T21:31:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45221"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://public.easybyte.it/downloads/archive/2.1.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.easybyte.it"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/konga-privilege-escalation-via-hardcoded-openssl-path"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-CMXP-9M5V-W2R3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-11 00:01 – Updated: 2022-01-15 00:03Users have access to the directory where the installation repair occurs. Since the MS Installer allows regular users to run the repair, an attacker can initiate the installation repair and place a specially crafted EXE in the repair folder which runs with the Check Point Remote Access Client privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-30360"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-10T14:10:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Users have access to the directory where the installation repair occurs. Since the MS Installer allows regular users to run the repair, an attacker can initiate the installation repair and place a specially crafted EXE in the repair folder which runs with the Check Point Remote Access Client privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-cmxp-9m5v-w2r3",
"modified": "2022-01-15T00:03:34Z",
"published": "2022-01-11T00:01:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-30360"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/2022/MNDT-2022-0001/MNDT-2022-0001.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk176853"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
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
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
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
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
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. Since this is a denylist approach, it might not be a complete solution.
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 finding the program using the PATH environment variable, 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.
CAPEC-471: Search Order Hijacking
An adversary exploits a weakness in an application's specification of external libraries to exploit the functionality of the loader where the process loading the library searches first in the same directory in which the process binary resides and then in other directories. Exploitation of this preferential search order can allow an attacker to make the loading process load the adversary's rogue library rather than the legitimate library. This attack can be leveraged with many different libraries and with many different loading processes. No forensic trails are left in the system's registry or file system that an incorrect library had been loaded.