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-32P8-QQ6W-3V8C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-29 00:00 – Updated: 2022-09-30 00:00Notepad++ versions 8.4.1 and before are vulnerable to DLL hijacking where an attacker can replace the vulnerable dll (UxTheme.dll) with his own dll and run arbitrary code in the context of Notepad++.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-32168"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-28T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Notepad++ versions 8.4.1 and before are vulnerable to DLL hijacking where an attacker can replace the vulnerable dll (UxTheme.dll) with his own dll and run arbitrary code in the context of Notepad++.",
"id": "GHSA-32p8-qq6w-3v8c",
"modified": "2022-09-30T00:00:37Z",
"published": "2022-09-29T00:00:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-32168"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/85d7215d9b3e0d5a8433fc31aec4f2966821051e"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mend.io/vulnerability-database/CVE-2022-32168"
}
],
"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-33MM-7Q99-MPGC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:18 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:18An uncontrolled search path element vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service agents could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-42102"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-10-21T08:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An uncontrolled search path element vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service agents could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-33mm-7q99-mpgc",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:18:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:18:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42102"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000289229"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1222"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-33P9-3P43-82VQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-04 21:00 – Updated: 2026-01-23 16:31Impact
On Windows, the shared %PROGRAMDATA% directory is searched for configuration files (SYSTEM_CONFIG_PATH and SYSTEM_JUPYTER_PATH), which may allow users to create configuration files affecting other users.
Only shared Windows systems with multiple users and unprotected %PROGRAMDATA% are affected.
Mitigations
- upgrade to
jupyter_core>=5.8.1(5.8.0 is patched but breaksjupyter-server) , or - as administrator, modify the permissions on the
%PROGRAMDATA%directory so it is not writable by unauthorized users, or - as administrator, create the
%PROGRAMDATA%\jupyterdirectory with appropriately restrictive permissions, or - as user or administrator, set the
%PROGRAMDATA%environment variable to a directory with appropriately restrictive permissions (e.g. controlled by administrators or the current user)
Credit
Reported via Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-25932
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c 5.8.0"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "jupyter_core"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "5.8.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-30167"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-06-04T21:00:23Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-03T17:15:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "## Impact\n\nOn Windows, the shared `%PROGRAMDATA%` directory is searched for configuration files (`SYSTEM_CONFIG_PATH` and `SYSTEM_JUPYTER_PATH`), which may allow users to create configuration files affecting other users.\n\nOnly shared Windows systems with multiple users and unprotected `%PROGRAMDATA%` are affected.\n\n## Mitigations\n\n- upgrade to `jupyter_core\u003e=5.8.1` (5.8.0 is patched but breaks `jupyter-server`) , or\n- as administrator, modify the permissions on the `%PROGRAMDATA%` directory so it is not writable by unauthorized users, or\n- as administrator, create the `%PROGRAMDATA%\\jupyter` directory with appropriately restrictive permissions, or\n- as user or administrator, set the `%PROGRAMDATA%` environment variable to a directory with appropriately restrictive permissions (e.g. controlled by administrators _or_ the current user)\n\n## Credit\n\nReported via Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-25932",
"id": "GHSA-33p9-3p43-82vq",
"modified": "2026-01-23T16:31:13Z",
"published": "2025-06-04T21:00:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core/security/advisories/GHSA-33p9-3p43-82vq"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-30167"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core/commit/5e8965600adda6b416692ce7e85ecb2bd814bd52"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "Jupyter Core on Windows Has Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability"
}
GHSA-33PJ-5GQ7-JRMX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-12 18:30 – Updated: 2026-07-21 18:30Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Connectivity Performance Suite software installers before version 50.25.1121.193 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-20772"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-12T17:16:18Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Connectivity Performance Suite software installers before version 50.25.1121.193 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.",
"id": "GHSA-33pj-5gq7-jrmx",
"modified": "2026-07-21T18:30:33Z",
"published": "2026-05-12T18:30:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20772"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01429.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-346W-GJPW-JF9R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-14 15:31 – Updated: 2026-05-14 15:31Unsafe OpenSSL initialization within some AMD optional tools may allow a local user-privileged attacker to inject a malicious DLL, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-62628"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-14T15:16:44Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unsafe OpenSSL initialization within some AMD optional tools may allow a local user-privileged attacker to inject a malicious DLL, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-346w-gjpw-jf9r",
"modified": "2026-05-14T15:31:58Z",
"published": "2026-05-14T15:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-62628"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/AMD-SB-9024.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"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-34GP-MHV2-CG2F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:02 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:02The Debian python-rdflib-tools 4.2.2-1 package for RDFLib 4.2.2 has CLI tools that can load Python modules from the current working directory, allowing code injection, because "python -m" looks in this directory, as demonstrated by rdf2dot. This issue is specific to use of the debian/scripts directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-7653"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-09T03:29:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The Debian python-rdflib-tools 4.2.2-1 package for RDFLib 4.2.2 has CLI tools that can load Python modules from the current working directory, allowing code injection, because \"python -m\" looks in this directory, as demonstrated by rdf2dot. This issue is specific to use of the debian/scripts directory.",
"id": "GHSA-34gp-mhv2-cg2f",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:02:47Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:02:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-7653"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/921751"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00019.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00026.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4535-1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-34RX-MPRW-WHV5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-05 18:31 – Updated: 2024-02-13 18:38An issue in Plone Docker Official Image 5.2.13 (5221) open-source software that could allow for remote code execution due to a package listed in ++plone++static/components not existing in the public package index (npm).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-23054"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-02-05T16:15:55Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An issue in Plone Docker Official Image 5.2.13 (5221) open-source software that could allow for remote code execution due to a package listed in ++plone++static/components not existing in the public package index (npm).",
"id": "GHSA-34rx-mprw-whv5",
"modified": "2024-02-13T18:38:22Z",
"published": "2024-02-05T18:31:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-23054"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/c0d3x27/CVEs/blob/main/CVE-2024-23054/README.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://plone.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://ploneorg.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-359G-8G36-V6QG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-28 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-03 00:00A DLL hijacking vulnerability in the MA Smart Installer for Windows prior to 5.7.7, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code and obtain higher privileges via careful placement of a malicious DLL into the folder from where the Smart installer is being executed.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-2313"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-07-27T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A DLL hijacking vulnerability in the MA Smart Installer for Windows prior to 5.7.7, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code and obtain higher privileges via careful placement of a malicious DLL into the folder from where the Smart installer is being executed.",
"id": "GHSA-359g-8g36-v6qg",
"modified": "2022-08-03T00:00:55Z",
"published": "2022-07-28T00:00:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-2313"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kcm.trellix.com/corporate/index?page=content\u0026id=SB10385\u0026actp=null\u0026viewlocale=en_US\u0026showDraft=false\u0026platinum_status=false\u0026locale=en_US"
}
],
"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-35HX-486G-2HPC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:51 – Updated: 2024-04-04 01:25An issue was discovered in Bitdefender products for Windows (Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tool versions prior to 6.6.8.115; and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, and Bitdefender Total Security versions prior to 23.0.24.120) that can lead to local code injection. A local attacker with administrator privileges can create a malicious DLL file in %SystemRoot%\System32\ that will be executed with local user privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-14242"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427",
"CWE-94"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-07-30T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Bitdefender products for Windows (Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tool versions prior to 6.6.8.115; and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, and Bitdefender Total Security versions prior to 23.0.24.120) that can lead to local code injection. A local attacker with administrator privileges can create a malicious DLL file in %SystemRoot%\\System32\\ that will be executed with local user privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-35hx-486g-2hpc",
"modified": "2024-04-04T01:25:06Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:51:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-14242"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.bitdefender.com/support/security-advisories/code-injection-bitdefender-products-windows"
}
],
"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-3632-5RH7-3Q8Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-15 15:30 – Updated: 2025-10-15 15:30A potential DLL hijacking vulnerability was discovered in the Lenovo PC Manager during an internal security assessment that could allow a local authenticated user to execute code with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-10581"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-15T15:16:03Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A potential DLL hijacking vulnerability was discovered in the Lenovo PC Manager during an internal security assessment that could allow a local authenticated user to execute code with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-3632-5rh7-3q8q",
"modified": "2025-10-15T15:30:29Z",
"published": "2025-10-15T15:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-10581"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://iknow.lenovo.com.cn/detail/432378"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.