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-64C9-JC9M-9HH5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39InCopy version 15.1.1 (and earlier) for Windows is affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-21010"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-13T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "InCopy version 15.1.1 (and earlier) for Windows is affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.",
"id": "GHSA-64c9-jc9m-9hh5",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21010"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/incopy/apsb21-05.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-64HJ-4677-7P5V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:13 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:13Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop 3.5 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could result in elevation of privileges. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must log on to the attacker's local machine.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-28581"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-08T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop 3.5 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could result in elevation of privileges. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must log on to the attacker\u0027s local machine.",
"id": "GHSA-64hj-4677-7p5v",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:13:51Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:13:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28581"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-31.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-64J2-VFRJ-6R28
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:36 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:36Western Digital Dashboard before 3.2.2.9 allows DLL Hijacking that leads to compromise of the SYSTEM account.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-29654"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-12T00:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Western Digital Dashboard before 3.2.2.9 allows DLL Hijacking that leads to compromise of the SYSTEM account.",
"id": "GHSA-64j2-vfrj-6r28",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:36:12Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:36:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-29654"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.westerndigital.com/support/productsecurity/wdc-20011-western-digital-dashboard-privilege-escalation"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-64V9-W92Q-4PV8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-15 18:31 – Updated: 2025-04-15 18:31Uncontrolled search path element in Power Automate allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-29817"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-15T17:15:48Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in Power Automate allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-64v9-w92q-4pv8",
"modified": "2025-04-15T18:31:45Z",
"published": "2025-04-15T18:31:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-29817"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-29817"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-656Q-3MVC-V648
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39A vulnerability in the Network Access Manager and Web Security Agent components of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL injection 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 resources that are loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting a configuration file in a specific path in the system which, in turn, causes a malicious DLL file to be loaded when the application starts. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected machine with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-1237"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-13T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the Network Access Manager and Web Security Agent components of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL injection 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 resources that are loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting a configuration file in a specific path in the system which, in turn, causes a malicious DLL file to be loaded when the application starts. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected machine with SYSTEM privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-656q-3mvc-v648",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:11Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:39:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1237"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-dll-injec-pQnryXLf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-65RQ-3R55-X37G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31Ashlar-Vellum Lithium Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Lithium. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of various file types. The process loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21680.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-44440"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:59Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Ashlar-Vellum Lithium Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Lithium. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the parsing of various file types. The process loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21680.",
"id": "GHSA-65rq-3r55-x37g",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:05Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-44440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1598"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-65X9-9GP9-WCQ3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-20 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-20 18:31NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio for Windows contains a vulnerability in Nsight Monitor where an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio Edition Monitor application. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to escalation of privileges, code execution, data tampering, denial of service, and information disclosure.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-33229"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-20T18:16:02Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio for Windows contains a vulnerability in Nsight Monitor where an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio Edition Monitor application. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to escalation of privileges, code execution, data tampering, denial of service, and information disclosure.",
"id": "GHSA-65x9-9gp9-wcq3",
"modified": "2026-01-20T18:31:57Z",
"published": "2026-01-20T18:31:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-33229"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5755"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-33229"
}
],
"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-6744-V55G-MHWJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-15 18:31 – Updated: 2024-08-15 18:31An issue was discovered in the Agent in Delinea Privilege Manager (formerly Thycotic Privilege Manager) before 12.0.1096 on Windows. Sometimes, a non-administrator user can copy a crafted DLL file to a temporary directory (used by .NET Shadow Copies) such that privilege escalation can occur if the core agent service loads that file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-39708"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-06-28T01:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in the Agent in Delinea Privilege Manager (formerly Thycotic Privilege Manager) before 12.0.1096 on Windows. Sometimes, a non-administrator user can copy a crafted DLL file to a temporary directory (used by .NET Shadow Copies) such that privilege escalation can occur if the core agent service loads that file.",
"id": "GHSA-6744-v55g-mhwj",
"modified": "2024-08-15T18:31:44Z",
"published": "2024-08-15T18:31:44Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39708"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.delinea.com/online-help/privilege-manager/release-notes/12.0.1-combined.htm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cyberark.com/resources/threat-research-blog/identity-crisis-the-curious-case-of-a-delinea-local-privilege-escalation-vulnerability"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-674C-Q4R5-6548
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39A vulnerability in the loading mechanism of specific DLLs of Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints for Windows and Immunet for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need valid credentials on the Windows system. This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory search paths at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious DLL file on the targeted system. This file will execute when the vulnerable application launches. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-1280"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-20T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "\n A vulnerability in the loading mechanism of specific DLLs of Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints for Windows and Immunet for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need valid credentials on the Windows system.\n This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory search paths at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious DLL file on the targeted system. This file will execute when the vulnerable application launches. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system with SYSTEM privileges.\n ",
"id": "GHSA-674c-q4r5-6548",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:39:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1280"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-amp-imm-dll-5PAZ3hRV"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-67GR-JWJP-PV3X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-19 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-28 00:00This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Access 6.5.4 (39316) Agent. 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 Desktop Control Agent service. The service loads Qt plugins from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-15787.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-34902"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-07-18T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Access 6.5.4 (39316) Agent. 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 Desktop Control Agent service. The service loads Qt plugins from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-15787.",
"id": "GHSA-67gr-jwjp-pv3x",
"modified": "2022-07-28T00:00:43Z",
"published": "2022-07-19T00:00:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-34902"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.parallels.com/en/129010"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-946"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.