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-XFF5-4P93-933W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:37 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:37In SpiderControl MicroBrowser Windows XP, Vista 7, 8 and 10, Versions 1.6.30.144 and prior, an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability has been identified which could be exploited by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path. If the malicious DLL is loaded prior to the valid DLL, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-14010"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-04-26T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In SpiderControl MicroBrowser Windows XP, Vista 7, 8 and 10, Versions 1.6.30.144 and prior, an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability has been identified which could be exploited by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path. If the malicious DLL is loaded prior to the valid DLL, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-xff5-4p93-933w",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:37:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:37:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-14010"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-292-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://spidercontrol.net/download/downloadarea/?lang=en"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101505"
}
],
"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-XFH2-MF33-R8PH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-30 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-09 00:00A binary hijack in Embarcadero Dev-CPP v6.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .exe file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-33036"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-29T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A binary hijack in Embarcadero Dev-CPP v6.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .exe file.",
"id": "GHSA-xfh2-mf33-r8ph",
"modified": "2022-07-09T00:00:25Z",
"published": "2022-06-30T00:00:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33036"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ycdxsb/Vuln/blob/main/Embarcadero-Dev-Cpp-CreateProcessW-Misuse-Binary-Hijack/Embarcadero-Dev-Cpp-CreateProcessW-Misuse-Binary-Hijack.md"
}
],
"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-XGCF-57XV-V846
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39Adobe Animate version 21.0 (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-2021-21008"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-13T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Animate version 21.0 (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-xgcf-57xv-v846",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21008"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/animate/apsb21-03.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-XJ35-G37R-FRW9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-14 03:31 – Updated: 2025-01-14 03:31Due to DLL injection vulnerability in SAPSetup, an attacker with either local user privileges or with access to a compromised corporate user�s Windows account could gain higher privileges. With this, he could move laterally within the network and further compromise the active directory of a company. This leads to high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Windows server.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-0069"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-14T01:15:17Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Due to DLL injection vulnerability in SAPSetup, an attacker with either local user privileges or with access to a compromised corporate user\ufffds Windows account could gain higher privileges. With this, he could move laterally within the network and further compromise the active directory of a company. This leads to high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Windows server.",
"id": "GHSA-xj35-g37r-frw9",
"modified": "2025-01-14T03:31:42Z",
"published": "2025-01-14T03:31:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0069"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://me.sap.com/notes/3542533"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://url.sap/sapsecuritypatchday"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XJ9Q-PJ74-P2J4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:41 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:41A vulnerability has been identified in PCS neo (Administration Console) (V3.0), TIA Portal (V15, V15.1 and V16). Manipulating certain files in specific folders could allow a local attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The security vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with a valid account and limited access rights on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-25238"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-284",
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-02-09T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability has been identified in PCS neo (Administration Console) (V3.0), TIA Portal (V15, V15.1 and V16). Manipulating certain files in specific folders could allow a local attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The security vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with a valid account and limited access rights on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-xj9q-pj74-p2j4",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:41:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:41:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-25238"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-428051.pdf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-040-05"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/466044"
}
],
"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-XM3X-7W4F-6PG6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-08-06 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-12 00:01DLL hijacking vulnerability in Samsung Update Setup prior to version 2.2.9.50 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-36840"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-08-05T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL hijacking vulnerability in Samsung Update Setup prior to version 2.2.9.50 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.",
"id": "GHSA-xm3x-7w4f-6pg6",
"modified": "2022-08-12T00:01:18Z",
"published": "2022-08-06T00:00:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36840"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2022\u0026month=08"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year==2022\u0026month=08"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XM59-RQC7-HHVF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-18 22:03 – Updated: 2026-02-10 13:48Summary
On Windows, converting a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF results in unauthorized code execution. Specifically, a third party can create a inkscape.bat file that defines a Windows batch script, capable of arbitrary code execution.
When a user runs jupyter nbconvert --to pdf on a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF on a Windows platform from this directory, the inkscape.bat file is run unexpectedly.
Details
Give all details on the vulnerability. Pointing to the incriminated source code is very helpful for the maintainer.
nbconvert searches for an inkscape executable when converting notebooks to PDFs here: https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/blob/4f61702f5c7524d8a3c4ac0d5fc33a6ac2fa36a7/nbconvert/preprocessors/svg2pdf.py#L104
The MITRE page on CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) summarizes the root cause succinctly:
In Windows-based systems, when the
LoadLibraryorLoadLibraryExfunction is called with a DLL name that does not contain a fully qualified path, the function follows a search order that includes two path elements that might be uncontrolled: - the directory from which the program has been loaded - the current working directory
PoC
Complete instructions, including specific configuration details, to reproduce the vulnerability.
-
Create a directory containing:
-
A hidden bat file called
inkscape.batcontainingmsg * "You've been hacked!" -
A dummy ipynb file called
Machine_Learning.ipynb
-
-
Run the command
jupyter nbconvert --to pdf Machine_Learning.ipynb. -
Wait a few seconds, and you should see a popup showing the message "You've been hacked!"
Impact
All Windows users.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "nbconvert"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "7.17.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-53000"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-12-18T22:03:08Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-17T21:16:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Summary\n\nOn Windows, converting a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF results in unauthorized code execution. Specifically, a third party can create a `inkscape.bat` file that defines a [Windows batch script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batch_file), capable of arbitrary code execution.\n\nWhen a user runs `jupyter nbconvert --to pdf` on a notebook containing SVG output to a PDF on a Windows platform from this directory, the `inkscape.bat` file is run unexpectedly.\n\n### Details\n_Give all details on the vulnerability. Pointing to the incriminated source code is very helpful for the maintainer._\n\n`nbconvert` searches for an `inkscape` executable when converting notebooks to PDFs here: https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/blob/4f61702f5c7524d8a3c4ac0d5fc33a6ac2fa36a7/nbconvert/preprocessors/svg2pdf.py#L104\n\nThe MITRE page on [CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element)](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/427.html) summarizes the root cause succinctly:\n\n\u003e In Windows-based systems, when the `LoadLibrary` or `LoadLibraryEx` function is called with a DLL name that does not contain a fully qualified path, the function follows a search order that includes two path elements that might be uncontrolled:\n\u003e - the directory from which the program has been loaded\n\u003e - the current working directory\n\n### PoC\n\n_Complete instructions, including specific configuration details, to reproduce the vulnerability._\n\n1. Create a directory containing: \n\n - A hidden bat file called `inkscape.bat` containing `msg * \"You\u0027ve been hacked!\"`\n\n - A dummy ipynb file called `Machine_Learning.ipynb`\n\n2. Run the command `jupyter nbconvert --to pdf Machine_Learning.ipynb`.\n\n3. Wait a few seconds, and you should see a popup showing the message \"You\u0027ve been hacked!\" \n\n### Impact\n\nAll Windows users.",
"id": "GHSA-xm59-rqc7-hhvf",
"modified": "2026-02-10T13:48:26Z",
"published": "2025-12-18T22:03:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/security/advisories/GHSA-xm59-rqc7-hhvf"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-53000"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/issues/2258"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/commit/c9ac1d1040459ed1ff9eb34e9918ce5a87cf9d71"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/blob/4f61702f5c7524d8a3c4ac0d5fc33a6ac2fa36a7/nbconvert/preprocessors/svg2pdf.py#L104"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/nbconvert/releases/tag/v7.17.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.imperva.com/blog/code-execution-in-jupyter-notebook-exports"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "nbconvert has an uncontrolled search path that leads to unauthorized code execution on Windows"
}
GHSA-XMFJ-3C6V-67MJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-08 00:00 – Updated: 2022-09-13 00:00Outbyte PC Repair Installation File 1.7.112.7856 is vulnerable to Dll Hijacking. iertutil.dll is missing so an attacker can use a malicious dll with same name and can get admin privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-36271"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-07T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Outbyte PC Repair Installation File 1.7.112.7856 is vulnerable to Dll Hijacking. iertutil.dll is missing so an attacker can use a malicious dll with same name and can get admin privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-xmfj-3c6v-67mj",
"modified": "2022-09-13T00:00:41Z",
"published": "2022-09-08T00:00:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36271"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/SaumyajeetDas/POC-of-CVE-2022-36271"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://outbyte.com"
}
],
"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-XMGX-2283-P55H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-19 18:31 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:32Qualys discovered that needrestart, before version 3.8, allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code as root by tricking needrestart into running the Ruby interpreter with an attacker-controlled RUBYLIB environment variable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-48992"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-19T18:15:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Qualys discovered that needrestart, before version 3.8, allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code as root by tricking needrestart into running the Ruby interpreter with an attacker-controlled RUBYLIB environment variable.",
"id": "GHSA-xmgx-2283-p55h",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:32:04Z",
"published": "2024-11-19T18:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-48992"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/liske/needrestart/commit/b5f25f6ec6e7dd0c5be249e4e45de4ee9ffe594f"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/11/msg00014.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-48992"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/11/19/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qualys.com/2024/11/19/needrestart/needrestart.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Nov/17"
}
],
"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-XMPQ-JVM5-C452
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:58 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:58Untrusted search path vulnerability in LhaForge Ver.1.6.5 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-2288"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-02T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in LhaForge Ver.1.6.5 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.",
"id": "GHSA-xmpq-jvm5-c452",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:58:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:58:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-2288"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN74554973/index.html"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.