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-9VWP-GFWX-69J2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-09 18:31 – Updated: 2026-04-09 21:31A Dynamic-link Library Injection vulnerability in GatewayGeo MapServer for Windows version 5 allows attackers to escalate privileges via a crafted executable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-30478"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-09T18:16:58Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A Dynamic-link Library Injection vulnerability in GatewayGeo MapServer for Windows version 5 allows attackers to escalate privileges via a crafted executable.",
"id": "GHSA-9vwp-gfwx-69j2",
"modified": "2026-04-09T21:31:29Z",
"published": "2026-04-09T18:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30478"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/penjaminTester/Research/tree/main/CVE-2026-30478"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ms4w.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9WC4-3575-8Q45
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:42 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:42Uncontrolled search path in the Intel(R) Optane(TM) DC Persistent Memory installer for Windows* before version 1.00.00.3506 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-24451"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-02-17T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in the Intel(R) Optane(TM) DC Persistent Memory installer for Windows* before version 1.00.00.3506 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-9wc4-3575-8q45",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:42:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:42:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24451"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00436.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-9WFR-J2F5-M367
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-13 18:30 – Updated: 2026-05-13 18:30Bytello Share (Windows Edition) installer executable provided by Bytello insecurely loads Dynamic Link Libraries. If there is a crafted DLL at the same directory when invoking the affected installer, arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-44612"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-13T06:16:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Bytello Share (Windows Edition) installer executable provided by Bytello insecurely loads Dynamic Link Libraries. If there is a crafted DLL at the same directory when invoking the affected installer, arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.",
"id": "GHSA-9wfr-j2f5-m367",
"modified": "2026-05-13T18:30:52Z",
"published": "2026-05-13T18:30:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44612"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN98871848"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.bytello.com/help/share/downloads"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-9X6G-6CJ7-H5VC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-15 21:35 – Updated: 2023-11-23 00:30Multiple DLL Search Order Hijack vulnerabilities were addressed in the SanDisk Security Installer for Windows that could allow attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by executing the installer in the same folder as the malicious DLL. This can lead to the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the vulnerable application or obtain a certain level of persistence on the compromised host.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-22818"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-15T20:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple DLL Search Order Hijack vulnerabilities were addressed in the SanDisk Security Installer for\nWindows that could allow attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by executing the installer\nin the same folder as the malicious DLL.\u00a0This can lead to the execution of arbitrary\ncode with the privileges of the vulnerable application or obtain a certain level of persistence\non the compromised host.\u00a0",
"id": "GHSA-9x6g-6cj7-h5vc",
"modified": "2023-11-23T00:30:57Z",
"published": "2023-11-15T21:35:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-22818"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.245601"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.westerndigital.com/support/product-security/wdc-23013-sandisk-security-installer-for-windows-1-0-0-25"
}
],
"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-9XMV-J327-GW5G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-21 00:31 – Updated: 2026-06-30 03:35TensorFlow HDF5 Library Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of TensorFlow. 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 handling of plugins. The application loads plugins from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of a target user. Was ZDI-CAN-25480.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-2492"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-20T23:16:05Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TensorFlow HDF5 Library Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of TensorFlow. 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 handling of plugins. The application loads plugins from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of a target user. Was ZDI-CAN-25480.",
"id": "GHSA-9xmv-j327-gw5g",
"modified": "2026-06-30T03:35:39Z",
"published": "2026-02-21T00:31:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2492"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/46e7f7fb144fd11cf6d17c23dd47620328d77082"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10184"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-2492"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2441510"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-2492.json"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-116"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C2CR-Q5V4-8CCV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-30 00:00 – Updated: 2021-12-01 00:00DLL hijacking could lead to local privilege escalation. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect 15 (Windows) before build 28035
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-44198"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-29T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL hijacking could lead to local privilege escalation. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect 15 (Windows) before build 28035",
"id": "GHSA-c2cr-q5v4-8ccv",
"modified": "2021-12-01T00:00:44Z",
"published": "2021-11-30T00:00:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44198"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-2128"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-C2J9-4WQG-96J4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-10 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:00Uncontrolled search path in the WULT software maintained by Intel(R) before version 1.0.0 (commit id 592300b) may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-27298"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427",
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-10T14:15:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in the WULT software maintained by Intel(R) before version 1.0.0 (commit id 592300b) may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access.",
"id": "GHSA-c2j9-4wqg-96j4",
"modified": "2024-04-04T04:00:50Z",
"published": "2023-05-10T15:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27298"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00853.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C2M5-CMPW-RJCX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-07 09:31 – Updated: 2024-09-11 18:31An issue was discovered in Ubuntu wpa_supplicant that resulted in loading of arbitrary shared objects, which allows a local unprivileged attacker to escalate privileges to the user that wpa_supplicant runs as (usually root).
Membership in the netdev group or access to the dbus interface of wpa_supplicant allow an unprivileged user to specify an arbitrary path to a module to be loaded by the wpa_supplicant process; other escalation paths might exist.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-5290"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-07T09:16:05Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Ubuntu wpa_supplicant that resulted in loading of arbitrary shared objects, which allows a local unprivileged attacker to escalate privileges to the user that wpa_supplicant runs as (usually root).\n\n\n\n\nMembership in the netdev group or access to the dbus interface of wpa_supplicant allow an unprivileged user to specify an arbitrary path to a module to be loaded by the wpa_supplicant process; other escalation paths might exist.",
"id": "GHSA-c2m5-cmpw-rjcx",
"modified": "2024-09-11T18:31:02Z",
"published": "2024-08-07T09:31:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-5290"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/wpa/+bug/2067613"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://snyk.io/blog/abusing-ubuntu-root-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6945-1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C3V3-2RRJ-72GC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:56 – Updated: 2024-04-04 01:59An Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability is applicable to the following: Dell Update Package (DUP) Framework file versions prior to 19.1.0.413, and Framework file versions prior to 103.4.6.69 used in Dell EMC Servers. Dell Update Package (DUP) Framework file versions prior to 3.8.3.67 used in Dell Client Platforms. The vulnerability is limited to the DUP framework during the time window when a DUP is being executed by an administrator. During this time window, a locally authenticated low privilege malicious user potentially could exploit this vulnerability by tricking an administrator into running a trusted binary, causing it to load a malicious DLL and allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim system. The vulnerability does not affect the actual binary payload that the DUP delivers.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-3726"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-09-24T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability is applicable to the following: Dell Update Package (DUP) Framework file versions prior to 19.1.0.413, and Framework file versions prior to 103.4.6.69 used in Dell EMC Servers. Dell Update Package (DUP) Framework file versions prior to 3.8.3.67 used in Dell Client Platforms. The vulnerability is limited to the DUP framework during the time window when a DUP is being executed by an administrator. During this time window, a locally authenticated low privilege malicious user potentially could exploit this vulnerability by tricking an administrator into running a trusted binary, causing it to load a malicious DLL and allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim system. The vulnerability does not affect the actual binary payload that the DUP delivers.",
"id": "GHSA-c3v3-2rrj-72gc",
"modified": "2024-04-04T01:59:31Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:56:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-3726"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/article/SLN318693"
}
],
"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-C48Q-HP69-MP8P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-10 21:32 – Updated: 2026-03-10 21:32IBM Trusteer Rapport installer 3.5.2309.290 IBM Trusteer Rapport could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by DLL uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. By placing a specially crafted file in a compromised folder, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-2713"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-10T20:16:39Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IBM Trusteer Rapport installer 3.5.2309.290 IBM Trusteer Rapport could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by DLL uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. By placing a specially crafted file in a compromised folder, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-c48q-hp69-mp8p",
"modified": "2026-03-10T21:32:17Z",
"published": "2026-03-10T21:32:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2713"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7263031"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/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.