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-F6JG-3F64-GHP3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-19 00:01 – Updated: 2022-04-06 00:02Rockwell Automation ISaGRAF Runtime Versions 4.x and 5.x searches for and loads DLLs as dynamic libraries. Uncontrolled loading of dynamic libraries could allow a local, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability only affects ISaGRAF Runtime when running on Microsoft Windows systems.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-25182"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-03-18T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Rockwell Automation ISaGRAF Runtime Versions 4.x and 5.x searches for and loads DLLs as dynamic libraries. Uncontrolled loading of dynamic libraries could allow a local, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability only affects ISaGRAF Runtime when running on Microsoft Windows systems.",
"id": "GHSA-f6jg-3f64-ghp3",
"modified": "2022-04-06T00:02:18Z",
"published": "2022-03-19T00:01:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-25182"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SEVD-2021-159-04"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1131699"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/advisories/icsa-20-280-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.xylem.com/siteassets/about-xylem/cybersecurity/advisories/xylem-multismart-rockwell-isagraf.pdf"
}
],
"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-F75P-J579-8R2C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-29 12:30 – Updated: 2026-02-23 09:31Elevation of privilege issue in M-Files Installer versions before 22.6 on Windows allows user to gain SYSTEM privileges via DLL hijacking.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-0213"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-29T11:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Elevation of privilege issue in M-Files Installer versions before 22.6 on Windows allows user to gain SYSTEM privileges via DLL hijacking.",
"id": "GHSA-f75p-j579-8r2c",
"modified": "2026-02-23T09:31:17Z",
"published": "2023-03-29T12:30:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://empower.m-files.com/security-advisories/CVE-2023-0213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://product.m-files.com/security-advisories/cve-2023-0213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.m-files.com/about/trust-center/security-advisories/cve-2023-0213"
}
],
"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-F7J5-FWRM-8242
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:38 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:38A successful exploit of these vulnerabilities requires the local user to load a crafted DLL file in the system directory on servers running Schneider Electric OFS v3.5 with version v7.40 of SCADA Expert Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA, OFS v3.5 with version v7.30 of Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA, and OFS v3.5 with version v7.20 of Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA.. If the application attempts to open that file, the application could crash or allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code. Schneider Electric recommends vulnerable users upgrade the OFS to V3.5 and install the latest service pack (SP 6 or newer) for their associated version.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-1014"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-25T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A successful exploit of these vulnerabilities requires the local user to load a crafted DLL file in the system directory on servers running Schneider Electric OFS v3.5 with version v7.40 of SCADA Expert Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA, OFS v3.5 with version v7.30 of Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA, and OFS v3.5 with version v7.20 of Vijeo Citect/CitectSCADA.. If the application attempts to open that file, the application could crash or allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code. Schneider Electric recommends vulnerable users upgrade the OFS to V3.5 and install the latest service pack (SP 6 or newer) for their associated version.",
"id": "GHSA-f7j5-fwrm-8242",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:38:54Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:38:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-1014"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-15-141-01"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F7MF-8V49-37QX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-03 12:31 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:30In CODESYS Development System versions from 3.5.17.0 and prior to 3.5.19.20 a vulnerability allows for execution of binaries from the current working directory in the users context .
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-3662"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-03T11:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In CODESYS Development System versions from 3.5.17.0 and prior to 3.5.19.20 a vulnerability allows for execution of binaries from the current working directory in the users context .",
"id": "GHSA-f7mf-8v49-37qx",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:30:55Z",
"published": "2023-08-03T12:31:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-3662"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert.vde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2023-021"
}
],
"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-F7PP-P2GG-P4G5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-24 00:30 – Updated: 2025-12-24 00:30TradingView Desktop Electron Uncontrolled Search Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of TradingView Desktop. 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 configuration of the Electron framework. The product loads a script file 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-27395.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-14498"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-23T22:15:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TradingView Desktop Electron Uncontrolled Search Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of TradingView Desktop. 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 configuration of the Electron framework. The product loads a script file 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-27395.",
"id": "GHSA-f7pp-p2gg-p4g5",
"modified": "2025-12-24T00:30:16Z",
"published": "2025-12-24T00:30:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-14498"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-1070"
}
],
"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-F8CH-7H6R-42H6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-14 21:31 – Updated: 2023-11-14 21:31Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) NUC 12 Pro Kits & Mini PCs - NUC12WS Intel(R) HID Event Filter Driver installation software before version 2.2.2.1 for Windows may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-33874"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-14T19:15:27Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) NUC 12 Pro Kits \u0026 Mini PCs - NUC12WS Intel(R) HID Event Filter Driver installation software before version 2.2.2.1 for Windows may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-f8ch-7h6r-42h6",
"modified": "2023-11-14T21:31:02Z",
"published": "2023-11-14T21:31:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-33874"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00908.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"
}
]
}
GHSA-F8W9-P7H4-F9JM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-19 15:31 – Updated: 2026-05-19 15:31An Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in the OpenSSL TLS backend of Qt Network (qtbase) in Qt Qt Framework (Unix) allows a local attacker to load a rogue CA certificate as a trusted system authority via a crafted certificate file placed in the application's working directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-14575"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-19T14:16:27Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "An Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in the OpenSSL TLS backend of Qt Network (qtbase) in Qt Qt Framework (Unix) allows a local attacker to load a rogue CA certificate as a trusted system authority via a crafted certificate file placed in the application\u0027s working directory.",
"id": "GHSA-f8w9-p7h4-f9jm",
"modified": "2026-05-19T15:31:27Z",
"published": "2026-05-19T15:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-14575"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://codereview.qt-project.org/c/qt/qtbase/+/642967"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/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-F925-J45V-VQQP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:20 – Updated: 2023-11-15 21:35DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in McAfee Drive Encryption (MDE) prior to 7.3.0 HF2 (7.3.0.183) allows local users to execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges via execution from a compromised folder.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-31853"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-10T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in McAfee Drive Encryption (MDE) prior to 7.3.0 HF2 (7.3.0.183) allows local users to execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges via execution from a compromised folder.",
"id": "GHSA-f925-j45v-vqqp",
"modified": "2023-11-15T21:35:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:20:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-31853"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content\u0026id=SB10374"
}
],
"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-FC86-55VX-X268
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-01-11 03:30 – Updated: 2023-01-23 15:30** DISPUTED ** Insecure folder permissions in the Windows installation path of Shibboleth Service Provider (SP) before 3.4.1 allow an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM via DLL planting in the service executable's folder. This occurs because the installation goes under C:\opt (rather than C:\Program Files) by default. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this report, stating that "We consider the ACLs a best effort thing" and "it was a documentation mistake."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-22947"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-01-11T02:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** Insecure folder permissions in the Windows installation path of Shibboleth Service Provider (SP) before 3.4.1 allow an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM via DLL planting in the service executable\u0027s folder. This occurs because the installation goes under C:\\opt (rather than C:\\Program Files) by default. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this report, stating that \"We consider the ACLs a best effort thing\" and \"it was a documentation mistake.\"",
"id": "GHSA-fc86-55vx-x268",
"modified": "2023-01-23T15:30:30Z",
"published": "2023-01-11T03:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-22947"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://shibboleth.atlassian.net/browse/SSPCPP-961"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://shibboleth.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SP3/pages/2065335545/Install+on+Windows#Restricting-ACLs"
}
],
"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-FC86-6R8M-346F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-13 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-20 00:00A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic (All versions < V7.3 Update 1), SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO (All versions < V7.3 Update 1). A DLL Hijacking vulnerability could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious DLL in one of the directories on the DLL search path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-23449"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-04-12T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic (All versions \u003c V7.3 Update 1), SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO (All versions \u003c V7.3 Update 1). A DLL Hijacking vulnerability could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious DLL in one of the directories on the DLL search path.",
"id": "GHSA-fc86-6r8m-346f",
"modified": "2022-04-20T00:00:55Z",
"published": "2022-04-13T00:00:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23449"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-655554.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"
}
]
}
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.