CWE-426
Allowed-with-ReviewUntrusted Search Path
Abstraction: Base · Status: Stable
The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
892 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-J6GQ-8954-2RW9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:02 – Updated: 2022-05-17 03:02Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer for TrueCrypt 7.2 and 7.1a, VeraCrypt before 1.17-BETA, and possibly other products allows local users to execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges and conduct DLL hijacking attacks via a Trojan horse DLL in the "application directory", as demonstrated with the USP10.dll, RichEd20.dll, NTMarta.dll and SRClient.dll DLLs.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-1281"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-01-23T21:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer for TrueCrypt 7.2 and 7.1a, VeraCrypt before 1.17-BETA, and possibly other products allows local users to execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges and conduct DLL hijacking attacks via a Trojan horse DLL in the \"application directory\", as demonstrated with the USP10.dll, RichEd20.dll, NTMarta.dll and SRClient.dll DLLs.",
"id": "GHSA-j6gq-8954-2rw9",
"modified": "2022-05-17T03:02:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:02:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-1281"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Jan/22"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/11/1"
}
],
"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-J87M-3C97-HHHG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:08 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:08The usage of Tomcat in Jira before version 8.5.2 allows local attackers with permission to write a dll file to a directory in the global path environmental variable can inject code into via a DLL hijacking vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-20400"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426",
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-02-06T03:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The usage of Tomcat in Jira before version 8.5.2 allows local attackers with permission to write a dll file to a directory in the global path environmental variable can inject code into via a DLL hijacking vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-j87m-3c97-hhhg",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:08:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:08:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-20400"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/JRASERVER-70407"
}
],
"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-J8RM-63GP-VG3V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:07 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:07Untrusted search path vulnerability in ZTE Datacard MF19 0V1.0.0B04 allows local users to gain privilege by modifying the 'Ucell Internet' directory to reference a malicious mms_dll_r.dll or mediaplayerdll.dll.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-0974"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-28T15:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in ZTE Datacard MF19 0V1.0.0B04 allows local users to gain privilege by modifying the \u0027Ucell Internet\u0027 directory to reference a malicious mms_dll_r.dll or mediaplayerdll.dll.",
"id": "GHSA-j8rm-63gp-vg3v",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:07:50Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:07:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0974"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/129808/ZTE-Datacard-MF19-Privilege-Escalation-DLL-Hijacking.html"
}
],
"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-J98V-582H-H35H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-04 18:30 – Updated: 2026-02-04 18:30A maliciously crafted project directory, when opening a max file in Autodesk 3ds Max, could lead to execution of arbitrary code in the context of the current process due to an Untrusted Search Path being utilized.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-0662"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-04T17:16:13Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A maliciously crafted project directory, when opening a max file in Autodesk 3ds Max, could lead to execution of arbitrary code in the context of the current process due to an Untrusted Search Path being utilized.",
"id": "GHSA-j98v-582h-h35h",
"modified": "2026-02-04T18:30:42Z",
"published": "2026-02-04T18:30:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-0662"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-access/overview"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2026-0002"
}
],
"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-JCQ9-87H6-4WCR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-01 03:31 – Updated: 2026-04-01 03:31The application's installer runs with elevated privileges but resolves system executables and DLLs using untrusted search paths that can include user-writable directories, allowing a local attacker to place malicious binaries with the same names and have them loaded or executed instead of the legitimate system files, resulting in local privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-3780"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-01T02:16:03Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The application\u0027s installer runs with elevated privileges but resolves system executables and DLLs using untrusted search paths that can include user-writable directories, allowing a local attacker to place malicious binaries with the same names and have them loaded or executed instead of the legitimate system files, resulting in local privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-jcq9-87h6-4wcr",
"modified": "2026-04-01T03:31:40Z",
"published": "2026-04-01T03:31:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-3780"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.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-JG4P-9M49-XXJQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:22 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:22Untrusted search path vulnerability in Photo Collection PC Software Ver.4.0.2 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-10812"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-29T01:35:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in Photo Collection PC Software Ver.4.0.2 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.",
"id": "GHSA-jg4p-9m49-xxjq",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:22:25Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:22:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-10812"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN67954465/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-JHWF-H9CQ-P33Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:06 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:06Untrusted search path vulnerability in Self-extracting archive files created by IExpress bundled with Microsoft Windows allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-0598"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-06-26T14:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in Self-extracting archive files created by IExpress bundled with Microsoft Windows allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.",
"id": "GHSA-jhwf-h9cq-p33q",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:06:54Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:06:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0598"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/srd/2018/04/04/triaging-a-dll-planting-vulnerability"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2018/04/triaging-a-dll-planting-vulnerability"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN72748502/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-JJVC-94PP-59JX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:16 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:16When Octopus Tentacle is installed using a custom folder location, folder ACLs are not set correctly and could lead to an unprivileged user using DLL side-loading to gain privileged access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26557"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-10-07T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "When Octopus Tentacle is installed using a custom folder location, folder ACLs are not set correctly and could lead to an unprivileged user using DLL side-loading to gain privileged access.",
"id": "GHSA-jjvc-94pp-59jx",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:16:59Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:16:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26557"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://advisories.octopus.com/adv/2021-02---Local-privilege-escalation-in-Octopus-Tentacle-(CVE-2021-26557).1732870264.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-JPF5-526X-C5HW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-30 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-18 15:34Perl threads have a working directory race condition where file operations may target unintended paths.
If a directory handle is open at thread creation, the process-wide current working directory is temporarily changed in order to clone that handle for the new thread, which is visible from any third (or more) thread already running.
This may lead to unintended operations such as loading code or accessing files from unexpected locations, which a local attacker may be able to exploit.
The bug was introduced in commit 11a11ecf4bea72b17d250cfb43c897be1341861e and released in Perl version 5.13.6
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-40909"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-362",
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-30T13:15:22Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Perl threads have a working directory race condition where file operations may target unintended paths.\n\nIf a directory handle is open at thread creation, the process-wide current working directory is temporarily changed in order to clone\u00a0that handle for the new thread, which is visible from any third (or\u00a0more) thread already running. \n\nThis may lead to unintended operations\u00a0such as loading code or accessing files from unexpected locations,\u00a0which a local attacker may be able to exploit.\n\nThe bug was introduced in commit\u00a011a11ecf4bea72b17d250cfb43c897be1341861e and released in Perl version 5.13.6",
"id": "GHSA-jpf5-526x-c5hw",
"modified": "2026-04-18T15:34:15Z",
"published": "2025-05-30T15:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-40909"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Perl/perl5/issues/10387"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Perl/perl5/issues/23010"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Perl/perl5/commit/11a11ecf4bea72b17d250cfb43c897be1341861e"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Perl/perl5/commit/918bfff86ca8d6d4e4ec5b30994451e0bd74aba9.patch"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=1098226"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2026/04/msg00018.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://perldoc.perl.org/5.14.0/perl5136delta#Directory-handles-not-copied-to-threads"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/22/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/53"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/54"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Sep/55"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/23/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/30/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/02/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/02/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/02/6"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/02/7"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/06/03/1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-JPHM-RGVG-5293
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 00:51 – Updated: 2022-05-17 00:51Untrusted search path vulnerability in FENCE-Explorer for Windows V8.4.1 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-10855"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-09-15T17:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Untrusted search path vulnerability in FENCE-Explorer for Windows V8.4.1 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.",
"id": "GHSA-jphm-rgvg-5293",
"modified": "2022-05-17T00:51:06Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T00:51:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-10855"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN57205588/index.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.fujitsu.com/jp/group/bsc/services/fence/info-2017080101.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
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
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.
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 it, 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.