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.
1866 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-JWP2-53M7-G9FP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:46 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:46Microsoft Skype 7.16.0.102 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. This vulnerability exists due to the way .dll files are loaded by Skype. It allows an attacker to load a .dll of the attacker's choosing that could execute arbitrary code without the user's knowledge.The specific flaw exists within the handling of DLL (api-ms-win-core-winrt-string-l1-1-0.dll) loading by the Skype.exe process.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-6517"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-03-23T20:59:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Microsoft Skype 7.16.0.102 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. This vulnerability exists due to the way .dll files are loaded by Skype. It allows an attacker to load a .dll of the attacker\u0027s choosing that could execute arbitrary code without the user\u0027s knowledge.The specific flaw exists within the handling of DLL (api-ms-win-core-winrt-string-l1-1-0.dll) loading by the Skype.exe process.",
"id": "GHSA-jwp2-53m7-g9fp",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:46:36Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:46:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-6517"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://technet.microsoft.com/security/cc308575.aspx"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://twitter.com/tiger_tigerboy/status/755332687141883904"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://twitter.com/vysecurity/status/845013670103003138"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/141650/Skype-7.16.0.102-DLL-Hijacking.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Mar/44"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96969"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038209"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-JWQX-Q9H3-4Q35
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-07 03:30 – Updated: 2025-03-06 18:30Uncontrolled search path element vulnerability exists in pg_ivm versions prior to 1.5.1. When refreshing an IMMV, pg_ivm executes functions without specifying schema names. Under certain conditions, pg_ivm may be tricked to execute unexpected functions from other schemas with the IMMV owner's privilege. If this vulnerability is exploited, an unexpected function provided by an attacker may be executed with the privilege of the materialized view owner.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-23554"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-07T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element vulnerability exists in pg_ivm versions prior to 1.5.1. When refreshing an IMMV, pg_ivm executes functions without specifying schema names. Under certain conditions, pg_ivm may be tricked to execute unexpected functions from other schemas with the IMMV owner\u0027s privilege. If this vulnerability is exploited, an unexpected function provided by an attacker may be executed with the privilege of the materialized view owner.",
"id": "GHSA-jwqx-q9h3-4q35",
"modified": "2025-03-06T18:30:50Z",
"published": "2023-03-07T03:30:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23554"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/sraoss/pg_ivm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/sraoss/pg_ivm/releases/tag/v1.5.1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN19872280"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-JX2W-PP8J-QRCJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-01 03:31 – Updated: 2025-04-01 21:31Mite for Perl before 0.013000 generates code with the current working directory ('.') added to the @INC path similar to CVE-2016-1238.
If an attacker can place a malicious file in current working directory, it may be loaded instead of the intended file, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
This affects the Mite distribution itself, and other distributions that contain code generated by Mite.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-30672"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-01T02:15:16Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Mite for Perl before 0.013000 generates code with the current working directory (\u0027.\u0027) added to the @INC path similar to CVE-2016-1238.\n\nIf an attacker can place a malicious file in current working directory, it may be \nloaded instead of the intended file, potentially leading to arbitrary \ncode execution.\n\nThis affects the Mite distribution itself, and other distributions that contain code generated by Mite.",
"id": "GHSA-jx2w-pp8j-qrcj",
"modified": "2025-04-01T21:31:09Z",
"published": "2025-04-01T03:31:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-30672"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blogs.perl.org/users/todd_rinaldo/2016/11/what-happened-to-dot-in-inc.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://metacpan.org/release/TOBYINK/Mite-0.013000/changes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://perldoc.perl.org/perlrun#PERL_USE_UNSAFE_INC"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Project:Perl/Dot-In-INC-Removal"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-JX5H-HVFQ-FCGJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-26 06:30 – Updated: 2026-02-26 06:30The installer of FinalCode Client provided by Digital Arts Inc. contains an issue with the DLL search path. If a user is directed to place a malicious DLL file and the installer to the same directory and execute the installer, arbitrary code may be executed with the installer's execution privilege.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-25191"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-26T06:17:16Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The installer of FinalCode Client provided by Digital Arts Inc. contains an issue with the DLL search path. If a user is directed to place a malicious DLL file and the installer to the same directory and execute the installer, arbitrary code may be executed with the installer\u0027s execution privilege.",
"id": "GHSA-jx5h-hvfq-fcgj",
"modified": "2026-02-26T06:30:51Z",
"published": "2026-02-26T06:30:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25191"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN48498976"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.daj.jp/shared/php/downloadset/c/parts.php?page=dl\u0026filename=information_20260226_01.pdf"
}
],
"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-JX7Q-VX7Q-FFR5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-12 18:31 – Updated: 2025-08-12 18:31Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) DSA software before version 25.2.15.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-26404"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-12T17:15:35Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) DSA software before version 25.2.15.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-jx7q-vx7q-ffr5",
"modified": "2025-08-12T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2025-08-12T18:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-26404"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01347.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-M2MX-RFPW-JGHV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-04 18:01 – Updated: 2023-08-21 19:57Version of kerberos prior to 1.0.0 are vulnerable to DLL Injection. The package loads DLLs without specifying a full path. This may allow attackers to create a file with the same name in a folder that precedes the intended file in the DLL path search. Doing so would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the machine.
Recommendation
Upgrade to version 1.0.0 or later.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "kerberos"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-13110"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T19:01:58Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Version of `kerberos` prior to 1.0.0 are vulnerable to DLL Injection. The package loads DLLs without specifying a full path. This may allow attackers to create a file with the same name in a folder that precedes the intended file in the DLL path search. Doing so would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the machine.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nUpgrade to version 1.0.0 or later.",
"id": "GHSA-m2mx-rfpw-jghv",
"modified": "2023-08-21T19:57:14Z",
"published": "2020-09-04T18:01:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-13110"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/mongodb-js/kerberos"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://medium.com/@kiddo_Ha3ker/dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package-cb4b32031cd"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/op-innovate_dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package-activity-6667043749547253760-kVlW"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1514"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.op-c.net/2020/05/15/dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "DLL Injection in kerberos"
}
GHSA-M348-J6CQ-Q539
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:46 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:34Code injection vulnerability in Avira Total Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Optimization Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Internet Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), and Free Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Avira process via a "DoubleAgent" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-6417"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-03-21T16:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Code injection vulnerability in Avira Total Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Optimization Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Internet Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), and Free Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Avira process via a \"DoubleAgent\" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.",
"id": "GHSA-m348-j6cq-q539",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:34:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:46:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-6417"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagent-taking-full-control-antivirus"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagentzero-day-code-injection-and-persistence-technique"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97021"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-M3C7-PGMG-W263
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-11 03:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:50Uncontrolled search path element for some ITE Tech consumer infrared drivers before version 5.5.2.1 for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-23577"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-11T03:15:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element for some ITE Tech consumer infrared drivers before version 5.5.2.1 for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-m3c7-pgmg-w263",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:50:48Z",
"published": "2023-08-11T03:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23577"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00829.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-M3JP-6M8V-567G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-14 15:31 – Updated: 2024-08-14 15:31Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) VROC software before version 8.6.0.1191 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-23489"
],
"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 for some Intel(R) VROC software before version 8.6.0.1191 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-m3jp-6m8v-567g",
"modified": "2024-08-14T15:31:14Z",
"published": "2024-08-14T15:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-23489"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01128.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-M3PW-GWV9-W25W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:49 – Updated: 2024-04-04 01:11A vulnerability in the loading mechanism of specific dynamic link libraries in Cisco Jabber for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the Windows system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of the resources loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious DLL file and placing it in a specific location on the targeted system. The malicious DLL file would execute when the Jabber application launches. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target machine with the privileges of another user's account.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-1855"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-07-04T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the loading mechanism of specific dynamic link libraries in Cisco Jabber for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the Windows system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of the resources loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious DLL file and placing it in a specific location on the targeted system. The malicious DLL file would execute when the Jabber application launches. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target machine with the privileges of another user\u0027s account.",
"id": "GHSA-m3pw-gwv9-w25w",
"modified": "2024-04-04T01:11:41Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:49:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-1855"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190703-jabber-dll"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/109038"
}
],
"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.