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-M2MX-RFPW-JGHV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-04 18:01 – Updated: 2023-08-21 19:57Version of kerberos prior to 1.0.0 are vulnerable to DLL Injection. The package loads DLLs without specifying a full path. This may allow attackers to create a file with the same name in a folder that precedes the intended file in the DLL path search. Doing so would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the machine.
Recommendation
Upgrade to version 1.0.0 or later.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "kerberos"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-13110"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T19:01:58Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Version of `kerberos` prior to 1.0.0 are vulnerable to DLL Injection. The package loads DLLs without specifying a full path. This may allow attackers to create a file with the same name in a folder that precedes the intended file in the DLL path search. Doing so would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the machine.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nUpgrade to version 1.0.0 or later.",
"id": "GHSA-m2mx-rfpw-jghv",
"modified": "2023-08-21T19:57:14Z",
"published": "2020-09-04T18:01:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-13110"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/mongodb-js/kerberos"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://medium.com/@kiddo_Ha3ker/dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package-cb4b32031cd"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/op-innovate_dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package-activity-6667043749547253760-kVlW"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1514"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.op-c.net/2020/05/15/dll-injection-attack-in-kerberos-npm-package"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "DLL Injection in kerberos"
}
GHSA-M348-J6CQ-Q539
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:46 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:34Code injection vulnerability in Avira Total Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Optimization Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Internet Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), and Free Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Avira process via a "DoubleAgent" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-6417"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-03-21T16:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Code injection vulnerability in Avira Total Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Optimization Suite 15.0 (and earlier), Internet Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier), and Free Security Suite 15.0 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any Avira process via a \"DoubleAgent\" attack. One perspective on this issue is that (1) these products do not use the Protected Processes feature, and therefore an attacker can enter an arbitrary Application Verifier Provider DLL under Image File Execution Options in the registry; (2) the self-protection mechanism is intended to block all local processes (regardless of privileges) from modifying Image File Execution Options for these products; and (3) this mechanism can be bypassed by an attacker who temporarily renames Image File Execution Options during the attack.",
"id": "GHSA-m348-j6cq-q539",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:34:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:46:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-6417"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagent-taking-full-control-antivirus"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cybellum.com/doubleagentzero-day-code-injection-and-persistence-technique"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97021"
}
],
"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-M3C7-PGMG-W263
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-11 03:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:50Uncontrolled search path element for some ITE Tech consumer infrared drivers before version 5.5.2.1 for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-23577"
],
"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 for some ITE Tech consumer infrared drivers before version 5.5.2.1 for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-m3c7-pgmg-w263",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:50:48Z",
"published": "2023-08-11T03:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23577"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00829.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-M3JP-6M8V-567G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-14 15:31 – Updated: 2024-08-14 15:31Uncontrolled 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.
{
"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 01:11A 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.
{
"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 21:31A 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.
{
"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 15:30MailEnable 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.
{
"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 06:50Uncontrolled 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.
{
"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 12:31AVACAST 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.
{
"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 01:31A 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.
{
"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"
}
]
}
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.