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.
1896 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-CMCX-H36R-GRRW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:18 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:18A Windows privilege change issue was discovered in Splashtop Software Updater before 1.5.6.16. Insecure permissions on the configuration file and named pipe allow for local privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM, by forcing a permission change to any Splashtop files and directories, with resultant DLL hijacking. This product is bundled with Splashtop Streamer (before 3.3.8.0) and Splashtop Business (before 3.3.8.0).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-12431"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-05-21T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A Windows privilege change issue was discovered in Splashtop Software Updater before 1.5.6.16. Insecure permissions on the configuration file and named pipe allow for local privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM, by forcing a permission change to any Splashtop files and directories, with resultant DLL hijacking. This product is bundled with Splashtop Streamer (before 3.3.8.0) and Splashtop Business (before 3.3.8.0).",
"id": "GHSA-cmcx-h36r-grrw",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:18:14Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:18:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-12431"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://improsec.com/tech-blog/privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-splashtop-streamer"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support-splashtopbusiness.splashtop.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042648231-Splashtop-Streamer-version-3-3-8-0-for-Windows-released-includes-SOS-version-3-3-8-0"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CMGW-8J2G-5PMJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-01 21:31 – Updated: 2026-09-01 21:31Konga before 2.1.0 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privileged local attackers to execute arbitrary code by planting attacker-controlled OpenSSL configuration or library files in a hardcoded filesystem path absent from default installations. On Windows, the missing directory resides in a location writable by any authenticated local user, enabling attackers to create the directory and place malicious files that execute at the privilege level of the user or service account that launches Konga, facilitating privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-45221"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-01T20:17:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Konga before 2.1.0 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privileged local attackers to execute arbitrary code by planting attacker-controlled OpenSSL configuration or library files in a hardcoded filesystem path absent from default installations. On Windows, the missing directory resides in a location writable by any authenticated local user, enabling attackers to create the directory and place malicious files that execute at the privilege level of the user or service account that launches Konga, facilitating privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-cmgw-8j2g-5pmj",
"modified": "2026-09-01T21:31:46Z",
"published": "2026-09-01T21:31:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45221"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://public.easybyte.it/downloads/archive/2.1.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.easybyte.it"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/konga-privilege-escalation-via-hardcoded-openssl-path"
}
],
"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-CMXP-9M5V-W2R3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-11 00:01 – Updated: 2022-01-15 00:03Users have access to the directory where the installation repair occurs. Since the MS Installer allows regular users to run the repair, an attacker can initiate the installation repair and place a specially crafted EXE in the repair folder which runs with the Check Point Remote Access Client privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-30360"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-10T14:10:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Users have access to the directory where the installation repair occurs. Since the MS Installer allows regular users to run the repair, an attacker can initiate the installation repair and place a specially crafted EXE in the repair folder which runs with the Check Point Remote Access Client privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-cmxp-9m5v-w2r3",
"modified": "2022-01-15T00:03:34Z",
"published": "2022-01-11T00:01:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-30360"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/2022/MNDT-2022-0001/MNDT-2022-0001.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk176853"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CP6V-M93C-8Q82
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-11 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-18 00:00Dell SupportAssist Client Consumer versions (3.11.0 and versions prior) and Dell SupportAssist Client Commercial versions (3.2.0 and versions prior) contain a privilege escalation vulnerability. A non-admin user can exploit the vulnerability and gain admin access to the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-29092"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-10T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dell SupportAssist Client Consumer versions (3.11.0 and versions prior) and Dell SupportAssist Client Commercial versions (3.2.0 and versions prior) contain a privilege escalation vulnerability. A non-admin user can exploit the vulnerability and gain admin access to the system.",
"id": "GHSA-cp6v-m93c-8q82",
"modified": "2022-06-18T00:00:23Z",
"published": "2022-06-11T00:00:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29092"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000200456/dsa-2022-139-dell-supportassist-for-home-pcs-and-business-pcs-security-update-for-multiple-security-vulnerabilities"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-CPMM-PQJJ-WH64
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-29 21:31 – Updated: 2024-08-29 21:31Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Snap Deploy (Windows) before build 4569.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-34019"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-29T20:15:08Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Snap Deploy (Windows) before build 4569.",
"id": "GHSA-cpmm-pqjj-wh64",
"modified": "2024-08-29T21:31:03Z",
"published": "2024-08-29T21:31:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-34019"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-3079"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CPMW-FF7X-CG2W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-13 21:30 – Updated: 2024-11-13 21:30Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) MAS software before version 2.5 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-34164"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-13T21:15:20Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) MAS software before version 2.5 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-cpmw-ff7x-cg2w",
"modified": "2024-11-13T21:30:37Z",
"published": "2024-11-13T21:30:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-34164"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01161.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-CPQC-WRH6-WJ8J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-13 21:30 – Updated: 2025-05-13 21:30Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) QAT software before version 2.3.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-39833"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-13T21:16:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) QAT software before version 2.3.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-cpqc-wrh6-wj8j",
"modified": "2025-05-13T21:30:54Z",
"published": "2025-05-13T21:30:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39833"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01216.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-CQ2H-FX3V-V5M3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-21 18:31 – Updated: 2024-08-21 18:31VIPRE Advanced Security PMAgent Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Advanced Security. 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 Patch Management Agent. The issue results from loading a file 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-22316.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-5929"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-21T17:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "VIPRE Advanced Security PMAgent Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Advanced Security. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Patch Management Agent. The issue results from loading a file 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-22316.",
"id": "GHSA-cq2h-fx3v-v5m3",
"modified": "2024-08-21T18:31:28Z",
"published": "2024-08-21T18:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-5929"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.vipre.com/en_US/home-windows-release-notes/home-windows-release-notes-20240227"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-818"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CQ8R-5MF9-JWC9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:45 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:45Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier have an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) vulnerability in a DLL related to remote logging.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-3013"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-04-12T14:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier have an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) vulnerability in a DLL related to remote logging.",
"id": "GHSA-cq8r-5mf9-jwc9",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:45:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:45:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3013"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb17-11.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97547"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038228"
}
],
"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-CQQX-49XV-875H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-11 18:30 – Updated: 2025-11-11 18:30Uncontrolled search path for some Display Virtualization for Windows OS software before version 1797 within Ring 2: Device Drivers 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-2025-20065"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-11T17:15:40Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Display Virtualization for Windows OS software before version 1797 within Ring 2: Device Drivers 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-cqqx-49xv-875h",
"modified": "2025-11-11T18:30:17Z",
"published": "2025-11-11T18:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20065"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01303.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"
}
]
}
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.