Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-427

Allowed-with-Review

Uncontrolled 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.

1868 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-M3JP-6M8V-567G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-14 15:31 – Updated: 2024-08-14 15:31
VLAI
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.

Show details on source website

{
  "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 01:11
VLAI
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's account.

Show details on source website

{
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M3Q9-44RG-XW34

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-26 18:30 – Updated: 2025-04-25 21:31
VLAI
Details

A DLL hijacking vulnerability was identified in the Qognify VMS Client Viewer version 7.1 or higher, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code and obtain higher privileges via careful placement of a malicious DLL, if some specific pre-conditions are met.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-49114"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-02-26T16:27:47Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A DLL hijacking vulnerability was identified in the Qognify VMS Client Viewer version 7.1 or higher, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code and obtain higher privileges via careful placement of a malicious DLL, if some\u00a0specific pre-conditions are met.",
  "id": "GHSA-m3q9-44rg-xw34",
  "modified": "2025-04-25T21:31:28Z",
  "published": "2024-02-26T18:30:28Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-49114"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://r.sec-consult.com/qognify"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/10"
    }
  ],
  "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-M3XW-286R-CR7P

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-10 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-23 15:30
VLAI
Details

MailEnable versions prior to 10.54 contain an unsafe DLL loading vulnerability that can lead to local arbitrary code execution. The MailEnable administrative executable attempts to load MEAIAM.DLL from its installation directory without sufficient integrity validation or a secure search order. A local attacker with write access to that directory can plant a malicious MEAIAM.DLL, which is then loaded on execution, resulting in attacker-controlled code running with the privileges of the process.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-34420"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-12-10T16:16:25Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "MailEnable versions prior to 10.54 contain an unsafe DLL loading vulnerability that can lead to local arbitrary code execution. The MailEnable administrative executable attempts to load MEAIAM.DLL from its installation directory without sufficient integrity validation or a secure search order. A local attacker with write access to that directory can plant a malicious MEAIAM.DLL, which is then loaded on execution, resulting in attacker-controlled code running with the privileges of the process.",
  "id": "GHSA-m3xw-286r-cr7p",
  "modified": "2025-12-23T15:30:29Z",
  "published": "2025-12-10T18:30:25Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-34420"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://mailenable.com/Standard-ReleaseNotes.txt"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.mailenable.com"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/mailenable-dll-hijacking-via-unsafe-loading-of-meaiam-dll"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/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-M46G-PGM5-7984

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-11 03:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:50
VLAI
Details

Uncontrolled search path element in the Intel(R) Unite(R) Client software for Mac before version 4.2.11 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-25182"
  ],
  "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 in the Intel(R) Unite(R) Client software for Mac before version 4.2.11 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
  "id": "GHSA-m46g-pgm5-7984",
  "modified": "2024-04-04T06:50:54Z",
  "published": "2023-08-11T03:30:21Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25182"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00826.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M4RM-63H7-9MJ5

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-28 12:31 – Updated: 2026-04-28 12:31
VLAI
Details

AVACAST developed by eMPIA Technology, has a DLL Hijacking vulnerability, allowing authenticated local attackers to place a malicious DLL in a specific directory, resulting in arbitrary code execution with system privileges when the system loads the DLL.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-7279"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-04-28T10:16:04Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "AVACAST developed by eMPIA Technology, has a DLL Hijacking vulnerability, allowing authenticated local attackers to place a malicious DLL in a specific directory, resulting in arbitrary code execution with system privileges when the system loads the DLL.",
  "id": "GHSA-m4rm-63h7-9mj5",
  "modified": "2026-04-28T12:31:30Z",
  "published": "2026-04-28T12:31:30Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-7279"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/en/cp-139-10885-02d83-2.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-10884-f9c21-1.html"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/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-M57F-9997-GM6M

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:31 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:31
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability in the search path processing of Cisco Directory Connector could allow an authenticated, local attacker to load a binary of their choosing. The vulnerability is due to uncontrolled search path elements. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a binary of their choosing earlier in the search path utilized by Cisco Directory Connector to locate and load required resources.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-1794"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2019-04-18T01:29:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability in the search path processing of Cisco Directory Connector could allow an authenticated, local attacker to load a binary of their choosing. The vulnerability is due to uncontrolled search path elements. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a binary of their choosing earlier in the search path utilized by Cisco Directory Connector to locate and load required resources.",
  "id": "GHSA-m57f-9997-gm6m",
  "modified": "2022-05-13T01:31:19Z",
  "published": "2022-05-13T01:31:19Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-1794"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190417-cdc-hijack"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108032"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M59V-VRFW-F5J3

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:32 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:32
VLAI
Details

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility software before versions 6.10.34.1129, 7.1.6 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-21774"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:16:02Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility software before versions 6.10.34.1129, 7.1.6 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
  "id": "GHSA-m59v-vrfw-f5j3",
  "modified": "2024-05-16T21:32:01Z",
  "published": "2024-05-16T21:32:01Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21774"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01054.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-M5CV-RQ77-5Q44

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-10 12:30 – Updated: 2026-01-29 18:31
VLAI
Details

DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a FREngine.dll file of their choice in the 'C:\Users\\AppData\Local\UPDF\FREngine\Bin64\' directory, which could lead to arbitrary code execution and persistence.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-10214"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-09-10T12:15:32Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a FREngine.dll file of their choice in the \u0027C:\\Users\\\u003cuser\u003e\\AppData\\Local\\UPDF\\FREngine\\Bin64\\\u0027 directory, which could lead to arbitrary code execution and persistence.",
  "id": "GHSA-m5cv-rq77-5q44",
  "modified": "2026-01-29T18:31:30Z",
  "published": "2025-09-10T12:30:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-10214"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/multiple-vulnerabilities-updf"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/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-M678-F26J-3HRP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-26 22:07 – Updated: 2024-09-24 20:39
VLAI
Summary
Execution with Unnecessary Privileges in JupyterApp
Details

Impact

What kind of vulnerability is it? Who is impacted? We’d like to disclose an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in jupyter_core that stems from jupyter_core executing untrusted files in the current working directory. This vulnerability allows one user to run code as another.

Patches

Has the problem been patched? What versions should users upgrade to? Users should upgrade to jupyter_core>=4.11.2.

Workarounds

Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading? No

References

Are there any links users can visit to find out more? Similar advisory in IPython

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "jupyter-core"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "4.11.2"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-39286"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-250",
      "CWE-269",
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2022-10-26T22:07:00Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-10-26T20:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Impact\n_What kind of vulnerability is it? Who is impacted?_\nWe\u2019d like to disclose an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in `jupyter_core` that stems from `jupyter_core` executing untrusted files in the current working directory. This vulnerability allows one user to run code as another.\n\n\n### Patches\n_Has the problem been patched? What versions should users upgrade to?_\nUsers should upgrade to `jupyter_core\u003e=4.11.2`.\n\n### Workarounds\n_Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading?_\nNo\n\n### References\n_Are there any links users can visit to find out more?_\nSimilar advisory in [IPython](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x)\n\n",
  "id": "GHSA-m678-f26j-3hrp",
  "modified": "2024-09-24T20:39:29Z",
  "published": "2022-10-26T22:07:00Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core/security/advisories/GHSA-m678-f26j-3hrp"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39286"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core/commit/1118c8ce01800cb689d51f655f5ccef19516e283"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/jupyter-core/PYSEC-2022-42974.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00022.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KKMP5OXXIX2QAUNVNJZ5UEQFKDYYJVBA"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YIDN7JMLK6AOMBQI4QPSW4MBQGWQ5NIN"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-04"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5422"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Execution with Unnecessary Privileges in JupyterApp"
}

Mitigation
Architecture and Design Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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.