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.
1868 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-MHF4-98X7-2CW4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:06 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:06When loading the shared library that provides the OTR protocol implementation, Thunderbird will initially attempt to open it using a filename that isn't distributed by Thunderbird. If a computer has already been infected with a malicious library of the alternative filename, and the malicious library has been copied to a directory that is contained in the search path for executable libraries, then Thunderbird will load the incorrect library. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird < 78.9.1.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-29949"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-24T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "When loading the shared library that provides the OTR protocol implementation, Thunderbird will initially attempt to open it using a filename that isn\u0027t distributed by Thunderbird. If a computer has already been infected with a malicious library of the alternative filename, and the malicious library has been copied to a directory that is contained in the search path for executable libraries, then Thunderbird will load the incorrect library. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird \u003c 78.9.1.",
"id": "GHSA-mhf4-98x7-2cw4",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:06:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:06:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29949"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1682101"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2021-13"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-MHM2-77W6-F4F8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-11 12:30 – Updated: 2025-12-11 12:30A privilege escalation vulnerability was discovered in TeamViewer DEX (former 1E DEX), specifically within the 1E-Exchange-NomadClientHealth-ConfigureGeneralSetting instruction prior V3.4. Improper protection of the execution path on the local device allows attackers, with local access to the device during execution, to hijack the process and execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-64995"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-11T12:16:26Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A privilege escalation vulnerability was discovered in TeamViewer DEX (former 1E DEX), specifically within the 1E-Exchange-NomadClientHealth-ConfigureGeneralSetting instruction prior V3.4. Improper protection of the execution path on the local device allows attackers, with local access to the device during execution, to hijack the process and execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mhm2-77w6-f4f8",
"modified": "2025-12-11T12:30:28Z",
"published": "2025-12-11T12:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-64995"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.teamviewer.com/en/resources/trust-center/security-bulletins/tv-2025-1006"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-MHX8-FVJ8-9M2Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:36 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:36An Uncontrolled Search Path Element issue was discovered in Moxa SoftNVR-IA Live Viewer, Version 3.30.3122 and prior versions. An uncontrolled search path element (DLL Hijacking) vulnerability has been identified. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could rename a malicious DLL to meet the criteria of the application, and the application would not verify that the DLL is correct. The attacker needs to have administrative access to the default install location in order to plant the insecure DLL. Once loaded by the application, the DLL could run malicious code at the privilege level of the application.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5170"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-01-18T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An Uncontrolled Search Path Element issue was discovered in Moxa SoftNVR-IA Live Viewer, Version 3.30.3122 and prior versions. An uncontrolled search path element (DLL Hijacking) vulnerability has been identified. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could rename a malicious DLL to meet the criteria of the application, and the application would not verify that the DLL is correct. The attacker needs to have administrative access to the default install location in order to plant the insecure DLL. Once loaded by the application, the DLL could run malicious code at the privilege level of the application.",
"id": "GHSA-mhx8-fvj8-9m2q",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:36:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:36:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5170"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-220-02"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100208"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-MJ59-H3Q9-GHFH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-25 23:48 – Updated: 2026-05-19 15:56Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
< 2026.4.20 - Patched version:
2026.4.20
Impact
Workspace MCP stdio configuration could pass dangerous process-startup environment variables such as NODE_OPTIONS, LD_PRELOAD, or BASH_ENV to the spawned MCP server process. In a malicious workspace, this could make the MCP child load attacker-controlled code when the operator starts a session that uses that MCP server.
The impact is limited to local/workspace trust boundaries and requires the operator to run OpenClaw in a workspace containing the malicious MCP configuration. Severity is therefore medium, not high/critical.
Fix
OpenClaw now filters MCP stdio environment entries through the host environment safety denylist before spawning stdio MCP servers.
Fix commits:
62fa5071896e95edc7f67d1cebc70a2859e283af85d86ebc4bf3d2226d39d132a484f4f7a299fa1b
Release
Fixed in OpenClaw 2026.4.20.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "openclaw"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "2026.4.20"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-44995"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427",
"CWE-454",
"CWE-829"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-25T23:48:03Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected versions: `\u003c 2026.4.20`\n- Patched version: `2026.4.20`\n\n## Impact\n\nWorkspace MCP stdio configuration could pass dangerous process-startup environment variables such as `NODE_OPTIONS`, `LD_PRELOAD`, or `BASH_ENV` to the spawned MCP server process. In a malicious workspace, this could make the MCP child load attacker-controlled code when the operator starts a session that uses that MCP server.\n\nThe impact is limited to local/workspace trust boundaries and requires the operator to run OpenClaw in a workspace containing the malicious MCP configuration. Severity is therefore medium, not high/critical.\n\n## Fix\n\nOpenClaw now filters MCP stdio environment entries through the host environment safety denylist before spawning stdio MCP servers.\n\nFix commits:\n\n- `62fa5071896e95edc7f67d1cebc70a2859e283af`\n- `85d86ebc4bf3d2226d39d132a484f4f7a299fa1b`\n\n## Release\n\nFixed in OpenClaw `2026.4.20`.",
"id": "GHSA-mj59-h3q9-ghfh",
"modified": "2026-05-19T15:56:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-25T23:48:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-mj59-h3q9-ghfh"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44995"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/62fa5071896e95edc7f67d1cebc70a2859e283af"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/85d86ebc4bf3d2226d39d132a484f4f7a299fa1b"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-code-execution-via-mcp-stdio-environment-variables"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "OpenClaw: MCP stdio server env could load dangerous startup variables from workspace config"
}
GHSA-MJ5J-J2QM-C8G4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:22 – Updated: 2022-07-06 00:00In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through 3.9.0b4 on Windows, a Trojan horse python3.dll might be used in cases where CPython is embedded in a native application. This occurs because python3X.dll may use an invalid search path for python3.dll loading (after Py_SetPath has been used). NOTE: this issue CANNOT occur when using python.exe from a standard (non-embedded) Python installation on Windows.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-15523"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-07-04T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through 3.9.0b4 on Windows, a Trojan horse python3.dll might be used in cases where CPython is embedded in a native application. This occurs because python3X.dll may use an invalid search path for python3.dll loading (after Py_SetPath has been used). NOTE: this issue CANNOT occur when using python.exe from a standard (non-embedded) Python installation on Windows.",
"id": "GHSA-mj5j-j2qm-c8g4",
"modified": "2022-07-06T00:00:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:22:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15523"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21297"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.python.org/issue29778"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210312-0004"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-MJ85-QFPM-V6CF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:31 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:31Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-35192"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:15:52Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mj85-qfpm-v6cf",
"modified": "2024-05-16T21:31:58Z",
"published": "2024-05-16T21:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35192"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00831.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-MJJ4-76FC-Q29V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-13 00:33 – Updated: 2025-02-13 00:33Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VPL software before version 2023.4.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-21830"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-12T22:15:31Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) VPL software before version 2023.4.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mjj4-76fc-q29v",
"modified": "2025-02-13T00:33:04Z",
"published": "2025-02-13T00:33:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21830"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01044.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-MJR6-9X82-8CGP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:31 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:31Dreamweaver version 20.2 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation. Successful exploitation could result in a local user with permissions to write to the file system running system commands with administrator privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-24425"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-10-21T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dreamweaver version 20.2 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation. Successful exploitation could result in a local user with permissions to write to the file system running system commands with administrator privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mjr6-9x82-8cgp",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24425"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dreamweaver/apsb20-55.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-MM8X-4C8C-WH5G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:04 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:04Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-0090"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-09T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-mm8x-4c8c-wh5g",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:04:24Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:04:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-0090"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00510.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-MMF8-RMMJ-R6X4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-08 15:33 – Updated: 2023-08-10 06:30An issue in PEStudio v.9.52 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DLL file to the PESstudio exeutable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-36546"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-08T13:15:10Z",
"severity": null
},
"details": "An issue in PEStudio v.9.52 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DLL file to the PESstudio exeutable.",
"id": "GHSA-mmf8-rmmj-r6x4",
"modified": "2023-08-10T06:30:30Z",
"published": "2023-08-08T15:33:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36546"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://securitycafe.ro/2023/06/19/dll-hijacking-finding-vulnerabilities-in-pestudio-9-52"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.