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.
1782 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-X5MC-F54F-4PWJ
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
CP210 VCP Win 2k
installer can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when running the impacted installer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-9494"
],
"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\n\n\nCP210 VCP Win 2k\n\n\n\n installer can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when running the impacted installer.",
"id": "GHSA-x5mc-f54f-4pwj",
"modified": "2025-01-24T15:30:48Z",
"published": "2025-01-24T15:30:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9494"
},
{
"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-X5PV-35H7-PM8Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:02 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:02In PuTTY versions before 0.71 on Windows, local attackers could hijack the application by putting a malicious help file in the same directory as the executable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-9896"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-21T16:01:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In PuTTY versions before 0.71 on Windows, local attackers could hijack the application by putting a malicious help file in the same directory as the executable.",
"id": "GHSA-x5pv-35h7-pm8q",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:02:55Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:02:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-9896"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190404-0001"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/changes.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00004.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00020.html"
}
],
"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-X5W2-MR7H-W2WF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-14 15:31 – Updated: 2024-08-14 15:31Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VTune(TM) Profiler software before versions 2024.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-29015"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-14T14:15:26Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VTune(TM) Profiler software before versions 2024.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-x5w2-mr7h-w2wf",
"modified": "2024-08-14T15:31:16Z",
"published": "2024-08-14T15:31:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-29015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01122.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-X692-X4FP-7X6V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:01 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:01Multiple vulnerabilities in the install, uninstall, and upgrade processes of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to hijack DLL or executable files that are used by the application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected device with SYSTEM privileges. To exploit these vulnerabilities, the attacker must have valid credentials on the Windows system. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-1430"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-378",
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-05-06T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple vulnerabilities in the install, uninstall, and upgrade processes of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to hijack DLL or executable files that are used by the application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected device with SYSTEM privileges. To exploit these vulnerabilities, the attacker must have valid credentials on the Windows system. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.",
"id": "GHSA-x692-x4fp-7x6v",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:01:37Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:01:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1430"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-code-exec-jR3tWTA6"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X69H-MFJM-Q5G5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:43 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:43mcmnm in BMC Patrol allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted libmcmclnx.so file in the current working directory, because it is setuid root and the RPATH variable begins with the .: substring.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-13130"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-23T00:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "mcmnm in BMC Patrol allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted libmcmclnx.so file in the current working directory, because it is setuid root and the RPATH variable begins with the .: substring.",
"id": "GHSA-x69h-mfjm-q5g5",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:43:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:43:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-13130"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/itm4n/bmc-patrol-mcmnm-privesc"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X6FF-WRHM-7H74
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-14 00:00 – Updated: 2022-09-19 00:00A vulnerability was discovered in the Crestron AirMedia Windows Application, version 4.3.1.39, in which a user can place a malicious DLL in a certain path to execute code and preform a privilege escalation attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-34101"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-13T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was discovered in the Crestron AirMedia Windows Application, version 4.3.1.39, in which a user can place a malicious DLL in a certain path to execute code and preform a privilege escalation attack.",
"id": "GHSA-x6ff-wrhm-7h74",
"modified": "2022-09-19T00:00:28Z",
"published": "2022-09-14T00:00:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-34101"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.crestron.com/Security/Security_Advisories"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.crestron.com/release_notes/airmedia_windows_installer_release_notes_5.5.1.84.pdf"
}
],
"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-X6W9-F57M-RH5H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:36 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:36Adobe Prelude version 9.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-24440"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-11T03:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Prelude version 9.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.",
"id": "GHSA-x6w9-f57m-rh5h",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:36:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:36:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/prelude/apsb20-70.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X6X2-74G9-VJCW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-10 21:30 – Updated: 2023-03-16 15:30An issue in the Trend Micro Apex One agent could allow an attacker who has previously acquired administrative rights via other means to bypass the protection by using a specifically crafted DLL during a specific update process. Please note: an attacker must first obtain administrative access on the target system via another method in order to exploit this.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-25147"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-10T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An issue in the Trend Micro Apex One agent could allow an attacker who has previously acquired administrative rights via other means to bypass the protection by using a specifically crafted DLL during a specific update process. Please note: an attacker must first obtain administrative access on the target system via another method in order to exploit this.",
"id": "GHSA-x6x2-74g9-vjcw",
"modified": "2023-03-16T15:30:18Z",
"published": "2023-03-10T21:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25147"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000292209"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X744-F9CR-WCFC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-08-19 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-23 00:00Uncontrolled search path elements in the Intel(R) Datacenter Group Event Android application, all versions, may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-25841"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-08-18T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path elements in the Intel(R) Datacenter Group Event Android application, all versions, may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-x744-f9cr-wcfc",
"modified": "2022-08-23T00:00:18Z",
"published": "2022-08-19T00:00:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-25841"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00678.html"
}
],
"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-X7CR-QF6V-5P76
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-21 09:30 – Updated: 2025-11-21 09:30Uncontrolled search path element issue exists in the installer of LogStare Collector (for Windows). If exploited, arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-64695"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-21T07:15:55Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element issue exists in the installer of LogStare Collector (for Windows). If exploited, arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.",
"id": "GHSA-x7cr-qf6v-5p76",
"modified": "2025-11-21T09:30:26Z",
"published": "2025-11-21T09:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-64695"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN77560819"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.logstare.com/vulnerability/2025-001"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/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"
}
]
}
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.