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.
1817 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-XW5X-XGQJ-5WFC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-15 21:30 – Updated: 2026-04-22 18:31Adobe Photoshop Installer was affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could have resulted in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged local attacker could have exploited this vulnerability by manipulating the search path used by the application to locate critical resources, potentially causing unauthorized code execution. Exploitation of this issue required user interaction in that a user had to be running the installer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-34632"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-15T19:16:36Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Photoshop Installer was affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could have resulted in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged local attacker could have exploited this vulnerability by manipulating the search path used by the application to locate critical resources, potentially causing unauthorized code execution. Exploitation of this issue required user interaction in that a user had to be running the installer.",
"id": "GHSA-xw5x-xgqj-5wfc",
"modified": "2026-04-22T18:31:38Z",
"published": "2026-04-15T21:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-34632"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/427.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2025-2274"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XW6W-FF6H-V543
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-12 18:31 – Updated: 2025-08-12 18:31Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) oneAPI Toolkit and component software installers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-20017"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-12T17:15:27Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) oneAPI Toolkit and component software installers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-xw6w-ff6h-v543",
"modified": "2025-08-12T18:31:26Z",
"published": "2025-08-12T18:31:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20017"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01285.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-XWG5-V6XW-GQPC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-11 06:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 03:23A Windows user with basic user authorization can exploit a DLL hijacking attack in SapSetup (Software Installation Program) - version 9.0, resulting in a privilege escalation running code as administrator of the very same Windows PC. A successful attack depends on various preconditions beyond the attackers control.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-29187"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-04-11T04:16:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A Windows user with basic user authorization can exploit a DLL hijacking attack in SapSetup (Software Installation Program) - version 9.0, resulting in a privilege escalation running code as administrator of the very same Windows PC. A successful attack depends on various preconditions beyond the attackers control.\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-xwg5-v6xw-gqpc",
"modified": "2024-04-04T03:23:34Z",
"published": "2023-04-11T06:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29187"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/3311624"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sap.com/documents/2022/02/fa865ea4-167e-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html"
}
],
"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-XWPV-8X3R-CVM2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-12 21:32 – Updated: 2024-09-12 21:32A vulnerability in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (SM) Agent for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory search paths at runtime. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing both malicious configuration files and malicious DLL files on an affected system, which would read and execute the files when Cisco Meraki SM launches on startup. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-20430"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-12T20:15:04Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (SM) Agent for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.\u0026nbsp;\n\nThis vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory search paths at runtime. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing both malicious configuration files and malicious DLL files on an affected system, which would read and execute the files when Cisco Meraki SM launches on startup. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with SYSTEM privileges.\u0026nbsp;",
"id": "GHSA-xwpv-8x3r-cvm2",
"modified": "2024-09-12T21:32:02Z",
"published": "2024-09-12T21:32:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-20430"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-meraki-agent-dll-hj-Ptn7PtKe"
}
],
"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-XX5M-CFV3-44QX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-14 15:31 – Updated: 2024-08-14 15:31Uncontrolled search path element in some installation software for Intel(R) Ethernet Adapter Driver Pack before version 28.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-22376"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-14T14:15:18Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in some installation software for Intel(R) Ethernet Adapter Driver Pack before version 28.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-xx5m-cfv3-44qx",
"modified": "2024-08-14T15:31:14Z",
"published": "2024-08-14T15:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-22376"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01106.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-XX9W-HW92-RVX6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-16 15:33 – Updated: 2026-06-16 15:33Dell Peripheral Manager, versions prior to 1.7.3, contain an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability through preloading malicious dll., leading to arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-22447"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-16T15:16:31Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Dell Peripheral Manager, versions prior to 1.7.3, contain an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability through preloading malicious dll., leading to arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-xx9w-hw92-rvx6",
"modified": "2026-06-16T15:33:50Z",
"published": "2026-06-16T15:33:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-22447"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000221413/dsa-2024-055-security-update-for-dell-peripheral-manager-uncontrolled-search-path-element-vulnerabilities?lang=en"
}
],
"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-XXR3-85VR-F7WF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:02 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:02In Sony Catalyst Production Suite through 2019.1 (1.1.0.21) and Catalyst Browse through 2019.1 (1.1.0.21), an unprivileged user can obtain admin privileges, and execute a program as admin, after DLL hijacking of a DLL that is loaded during setup (installation).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-19364"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426",
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-12-04T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In Sony Catalyst Production Suite through 2019.1 (1.1.0.21) and Catalyst Browse through 2019.1 (1.1.0.21), an unprivileged user can obtain admin privileges, and execute a program as admin, after DLL hijacking of a DLL that is loaded during setup (installation).",
"id": "GHSA-xxr3-85vr-f7wf",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:02:41Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:02:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-19364"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://gist.github.com/Eli-Paz/482b514320009f3e76ea712cde3bc350"
}
],
"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.