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.
1894 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-HMH2-CJVV-P2C9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-12 18:30 – Updated: 2026-05-12 18:30Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software before version 16.0.12. within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. System 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-2025-35969"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-12T17:16:13Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Server Firmware Update Utility Software before version 16.0.12. within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. System 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-hmh2-cjvv-p2c9",
"modified": "2026-05-12T18:30:38Z",
"published": "2026-05-12T18:30:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-35969"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01410.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"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-HMJM-5WQX-FP83
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-13 21:30 – Updated: 2025-05-13 21:30Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21099"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-13T21:16:09Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-hmjm-5wqx-fp83",
"modified": "2025-05-13T21:30:56Z",
"published": "2025-05-13T21:30:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21099"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01259.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-HMPC-H8WW-8C7C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:32 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:32Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.4 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-21861"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:16:05Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) GPA Framework software before version 2023.4 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-hmpc-h8ww-8c7c",
"modified": "2024-05-16T21:32:02Z",
"published": "2024-05-16T21:32:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21861"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01067.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-HMVW-RWMJ-GPHW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-17 18:31 – Updated: 2025-04-17 18:31Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in OpenText Secure Content Manager on Windows allows DLL Side-Loading.This issue affects Secure Content Manager: 23.4.
End-users can potentially exploit the vulnerability to execute malicious code in the trusted context of the thick-client application.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-12530"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-17T16:15:27Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in OpenText Secure Content Manager on Windows allows DLL Side-Loading.This issue affects Secure Content Manager: 23.4.\n\nEnd-users can potentially exploit the vulnerability to execute malicious code in the trusted context of the thick-client application.",
"id": "GHSA-hmvw-rwmj-gphw",
"modified": "2025-04-17T18:31:12Z",
"published": "2025-04-17T18:31:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-12530"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://portal.microfocus.com/s/article/KM000040073?"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/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-HPG6-HP9W-VXQP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-07-28 00:30 – Updated: 2025-02-13 18:31An installer that loads or executes files using an unconstrained search path may be vulnerable to substitute files under control of an attacker being loaded or executed instead of the intended files.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-43703"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-07-27T22:15:12Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An installer that loads or executes files using an unconstrained search path may be vulnerable to substitute files under control of an attacker being loaded or executed instead of the intended files.",
"id": "GHSA-hpg6-hp9w-vxqp",
"modified": "2025-02-13T18:31:43Z",
"published": "2023-07-28T00:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-43703"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://developer.arm.com/documentation/ka005596/latest"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00930.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"
}
]
}
GHSA-HQF8-533M-FQGC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-04 21:31 – Updated: 2025-11-04 21:31NVIDIA NVApp for Windows contains a vulnerability in the installer, where a local attacker can cause a search path element issue. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution and escalation of privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-23358"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-04T20:17:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "NVIDIA NVApp for Windows contains a vulnerability in the installer, where a local attacker can cause a search path element issue. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution and escalation of privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-hqf8-533m-fqgc",
"modified": "2025-11-04T21:31:36Z",
"published": "2025-11-04T21:31:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-23358"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5717"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-23358"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-HQM9-W8GP-P3PP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-14 06:31 – Updated: 2025-10-14 06:31Improper authentication of library files in the Eaton IPP software installer could lead to arbitrary code execution of an attacker with the access to the software package.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59889"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-14T06:15:34Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper authentication of library files in the Eaton IPP software installer could lead to arbitrary code execution of an attacker with the access to the software package.",
"id": "GHSA-hqm9-w8gp-p3pp",
"modified": "2025-10-14T06:31:13Z",
"published": "2025-10-14T06:31:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59889"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/company/news-insights/cybersecurity/security-bulletins/etn-va-2025-1009.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-HQQW-V7W4-65WV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:36 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:36Adobe Lightroom Classic version 10.0 (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-2020-24447"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-11T03:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Lightroom Classic version 10.0 (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-hqqw-v7w4-65wv",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:36:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:36:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24447"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/lightroom/apsb20-74.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-HR59-57CV-GMW9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:32 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:32Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Lite Edition Design software before version 23.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-21837"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:16:04Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Lite Edition Design software before version 23.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-hr59-57cv-gmw9",
"modified": "2024-05-16T21:32:02Z",
"published": "2024-05-16T21:32:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21837"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01055.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-HRCM-7659-JP84
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:09 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:09A vulnerability in Cisco Packet Tracer for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL injection attack on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid credentials on the Windows system. This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory paths at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting a configuration file in a specific path on the system, which can cause a malicious DLL file to be loaded when the application starts. A successful exploit could allow an attacker with normal user privileges to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of another user’s account.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-1593"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-08-04T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in Cisco Packet Tracer for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL injection attack on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid credentials on the Windows system. This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory paths at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting a configuration file in a specific path on the system, which can cause a malicious DLL file to be loaded when the application starts. A successful exploit could allow an attacker with normal user privileges to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of another user\u0026rsquo;s account.",
"id": "GHSA-hrcm-7659-jp84",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:09:55Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:09:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1593"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-packettracer-dll-inj-Qv8Mk5Jx"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
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.