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.
1786 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-9694-9888-6HJ9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of various file types. The process loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21540.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-44437"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:59Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the parsing of various file types. The process loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21540.",
"id": "GHSA-9694-9888-6hj9",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:05Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-44437"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1595"
}
],
"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-96P2-4HX8-MV8V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-11 18:32 – Updated: 2024-10-11 18:32A DLL hijack vulnerability was reported in Lenovo App Store that could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-4130"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-11T16:15:13Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL hijack vulnerability was reported in Lenovo App Store that could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-96p2-4hx8-mv8v",
"modified": "2024-10-11T18:32:50Z",
"published": "2024-10-11T18:32:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-4130"
},
{
"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-987J-8W57-9RMV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-01-27 15:30 – Updated: 2023-02-08 00:30Razer Synapse before 3.7.0830.081906 allows privilege escalation due to an unsafe installation path, improper privilege management, and improper certificate validation. Attackers can place malicious DLLs into %PROGRAMDATA%\Razer\Synapse3\Service\bin if they do so before the service is installed and if they deny write access for the SYSTEM user. Although the service will not start if the malicious DLLs are unsigned, it suffices to use self-signed DLLs. The validity of the DLL signatures is not checked. As a result, local Windows users can abuse the Razer driver installer to obtain administrative privileges on Windows.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-47632"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-01-27T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Razer Synapse before 3.7.0830.081906 allows privilege escalation due to an unsafe installation path, improper privilege management, and improper certificate validation. Attackers can place malicious DLLs into %PROGRAMDATA%\\Razer\\Synapse3\\Service\\bin if they do so before the service is installed and if they deny write access for the SYSTEM user. Although the service will not start if the malicious DLLs are unsigned, it suffices to use self-signed DLLs. The validity of the DLL signatures is not checked. As a result, local Windows users can abuse the Razer driver installer to obtain administrative privileges on Windows.",
"id": "GHSA-987j-8w57-9rmv",
"modified": "2023-02-08T00:30:35Z",
"published": "2023-01-27T15:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-47632"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://syss.de"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.syss.de/fileadmin/dokumente/Publikationen/Advisories/SYSS-2022-047.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/170772/Razer-Synapse-3.7.0731.072516-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174696/Razer-Synapse-Race-Condition-DLL-Hijacking.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Sep/6"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-987J-CGGC-MQJC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-04 18:30 – Updated: 2023-04-11 15:30An issue was discovered in Acuant AcuFill SDK before 10.22.02.03. It is installed with insecure permissions (full write access within Program Files). Standard users can replace files within this directory that get executed with elevated privileges, leading to a complete arbitrary code execution (elevation of privileges).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-48224"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-04-04T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Acuant AcuFill SDK before 10.22.02.03. It is installed with insecure permissions (full write access within Program Files). Standard users can replace files within this directory that get executed with elevated privileges, leading to a complete arbitrary code execution (elevation of privileges).",
"id": "GHSA-987j-cggc-mqjc",
"modified": "2023-04-11T15:30:28Z",
"published": "2023-04-04T18:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-48224"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://acuant.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hackandpwn.com/disclosures/CVE-2022-48224.pdf"
}
],
"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-98MC-HVGQ-QGQJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-02 21:30 – Updated: 2025-09-02 21:30Foxit PDF Reader Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Foxit Reader Update Service. The product loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-25709.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-9330"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-02T21:15:35Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Foxit PDF Reader Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Foxit Reader Update Service. The product loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-25709.",
"id": "GHSA-98mc-hvgq-qgqj",
"modified": "2025-09-02T21:30:59Z",
"published": "2025-09-02T21:30:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-9330"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-870"
}
],
"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-99QX-QPWQ-JM99
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-16 21:30 – Updated: 2024-09-16 21:30Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Agent (Windows) before build 38235.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-34016"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-16T20:15:46Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Agent (Windows) before build 38235.",
"id": "GHSA-99qx-qpwq-jm99",
"modified": "2024-09-16T21:30:38Z",
"published": "2024-09-16T21:30:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-34016"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-7188"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-99WG-5QWQ-RR7F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-23 06:30 – Updated: 2023-03-27 18:30An issue was discovered in Veritas NetBackup before 10.0. A vulnerability in the way NetBackup validates the path to a DLL prior to loading may allow a lower level user to elevate privileges and compromise the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-28759"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-23T04:17:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Veritas NetBackup before 10.0. A vulnerability in the way NetBackup validates the path to a DLL prior to loading may allow a lower level user to elevate privileges and compromise the system.",
"id": "GHSA-99wg-5qwq-rr7f",
"modified": "2023-03-27T18:30:27Z",
"published": "2023-03-23T06:30:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-28759"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/security/VTS22-010#M2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/security/VTS23-006"
}
],
"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-9CP5-PV5Q-CJR3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-11 00:00 – Updated: 2025-05-05 18:31Uncontrolled Search Path Element in software for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-0169"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-09T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled Search Path Element in software for Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi in Windows 10 and 11 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-9cp5-pv5q-cjr3",
"modified": "2025-05-05T18:31:27Z",
"published": "2022-02-11T00:00:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-0169"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00539.html"
}
],
"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-9CQH-C6J9-HWFW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-11 15:30 – Updated: 2026-02-11 15:30A DLL hijacking vulnerability in Vivado could allow a local attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-52541"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-11T15:16:15Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL hijacking vulnerability in Vivado could allow a local attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-9cqh-c6j9-hwfw",
"modified": "2026-02-11T15:30:27Z",
"published": "2026-02-11T15:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-52541"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/AMD-SB-8013.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-9F7M-7MGG-5X9P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:57 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:57An Uncontrolled Search Path Element issue was discovered in Solar Controls WATTConfig M Software Version 2.5.10.1 and prior. An uncontrolled search path element has been identified, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system using a malicious DLL file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-9648"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-14T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An Uncontrolled Search Path Element issue was discovered in Solar Controls WATTConfig M Software Version 2.5.10.1 and prior. An uncontrolled search path element has been identified, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system using a malicious DLL file.",
"id": "GHSA-9f7m-7mgg-5x9p",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:57:42Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:57:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-9648"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-222-03"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100264"
}
],
"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.