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.
1874 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-MJ5J-J2QM-C8G4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:22 – Updated: 2022-07-06 00:00In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through 3.9.0b4 on Windows, a Trojan horse python3.dll might be used in cases where CPython is embedded in a native application. This occurs because python3X.dll may use an invalid search path for python3.dll loading (after Py_SetPath has been used). NOTE: this issue CANNOT occur when using python.exe from a standard (non-embedded) Python installation on Windows.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-15523"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-07-04T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through 3.9.0b4 on Windows, a Trojan horse python3.dll might be used in cases where CPython is embedded in a native application. This occurs because python3X.dll may use an invalid search path for python3.dll loading (after Py_SetPath has been used). NOTE: this issue CANNOT occur when using python.exe from a standard (non-embedded) Python installation on Windows.",
"id": "GHSA-mj5j-j2qm-c8g4",
"modified": "2022-07-06T00:00:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:22:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15523"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21297"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.python.org/issue29778"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210312-0004"
}
],
"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-MJ85-QFPM-V6CF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:31 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:31Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-35192"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:15:52Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mj85-qfpm-v6cf",
"modified": "2024-05-16T21:31:58Z",
"published": "2024-05-16T21:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35192"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00831.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-MJJ4-76FC-Q29V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-13 00:33 – Updated: 2025-02-13 00:33Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VPL software before version 2023.4.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-21830"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-12T22:15:31Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VPL software before version 2023.4.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mjj4-76fc-q29v",
"modified": "2025-02-13T00:33:04Z",
"published": "2025-02-13T00:33:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21830"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01044.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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/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-MJR6-9X82-8CGP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:31 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:31Dreamweaver version 20.2 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation. Successful exploitation could result in a local user with permissions to write to the file system running system commands with administrator privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-24425"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-10-21T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dreamweaver version 20.2 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation. Successful exploitation could result in a local user with permissions to write to the file system running system commands with administrator privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mjr6-9x82-8cgp",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24425"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dreamweaver/apsb20-55.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-MM8X-4C8C-WH5G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:04 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:04Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-0090"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-09T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mm8x-4c8c-wh5g",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:04:24Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:04:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-0090"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00510.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-MMF8-RMMJ-R6X4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-08 15:33 – Updated: 2023-08-10 06:30An issue in PEStudio v.9.52 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DLL file to the PESstudio exeutable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-36546"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-08T13:15:10Z",
"severity": null
},
"details": "An issue in PEStudio v.9.52 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DLL file to the PESstudio exeutable.",
"id": "GHSA-mmf8-rmmj-r6x4",
"modified": "2023-08-10T06:30:30Z",
"published": "2023-08-08T15:33:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36546"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://securitycafe.ro/2023/06/19/dll-hijacking-finding-vulnerabilities-in-pestudio-9-52"
}
],
"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-MMVF-VG72-75JR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-11 18:32 – Updated: 2024-10-11 18:32A DLL hijack vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Service Framework that could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-33582"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-11T16:15:06Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL hijack vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Service Framework that could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mmvf-vg72-75jr",
"modified": "2024-10-11T18:32:48Z",
"published": "2024-10-11T18:32:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-33582"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://iknow.lenovo.com.cn/detail/423563"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-MMXJ-HFWH-MG82
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-01 15:31 – Updated: 2024-03-01 15:31Dell Update Package (DUP), Versions prior to 4.9.10 contain an Uncontrolled Search Path vulnerability. A malicious user with local access to the system could potentially exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code as admin.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-39254"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-03-01T13:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Dell Update Package (DUP), Versions prior to 4.9.10 contain an Uncontrolled Search Path vulnerability. A malicious user with local access to the system could potentially exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code as admin.",
"id": "GHSA-mmxj-hfwh-mg82",
"modified": "2024-03-01T15:31:37Z",
"published": "2024-03-01T15:31:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-39254"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000217701/dsa-2023-338-security-update-for-a-dell-update-package-dup-framework-vulnerability"
}
],
"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-MP6W-QW2G-78WX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-13 21:30 – Updated: 2024-11-13 21:30Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Fortran Compiler Classic software before version 2021.13 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-28881"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-13T21:15:14Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Fortran Compiler Classic software before version 2021.13 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mp6w-qw2g-78wx",
"modified": "2024-11-13T21:30:36Z",
"published": "2024-11-13T21:30:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28881"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01173.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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/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-MR5P-78VR-4RC7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-10 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-17 21:30MailEnable versions prior to 10.54 contain an unsafe DLL loading vulnerability that can lead to local arbitrary code execution. The MailEnable administrative executable attempts to load MEAIDP.DLL from its installation directory without sufficient integrity validation or a secure search order. A local attacker with write access to that directory can plant a malicious MEAIDP.DLL, which is then loaded on execution, resulting in attacker-controlled code running with the privileges of the process.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-34424"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-10T16:16:26Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "MailEnable versions prior to 10.54 contain an unsafe DLL loading vulnerability that can lead to local arbitrary code execution. The MailEnable administrative executable attempts to load MEAIDP.DLL from its installation directory without sufficient integrity validation or a secure search order. A local attacker with write access to that directory can plant a malicious MEAIDP.DLL, which is then loaded on execution, resulting in attacker-controlled code running with the privileges of the process.",
"id": "GHSA-mr5p-78vr-4rc7",
"modified": "2025-12-17T21:30:40Z",
"published": "2025-12-10T18:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-34424"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://mailenable.com/Standard-ReleaseNotes.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mailenable.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/mailenable-dll-hijacking-via-unsafe-loading-of-meaidp-dll"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.