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.
1838 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-Q4H2-45G8-3929
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 22:01 – Updated: 2022-05-24 22:01NVIDIA GeForce Experience (prior to 3.20.1) and Windows GPU Display Driver (all versions) contains a vulnerability in the local service provider component in which an attacker with local system and privileged access can incorrectly load Windows system DLLs without validating the path or signature (also known as a binary planting or DLL preloading attack), which may lead to denial of service or information disclosure through code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-5695"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426",
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-11-12T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "NVIDIA GeForce Experience (prior to 3.20.1) and Windows GPU Display Driver (all versions) contains a vulnerability in the local service provider component in which an attacker with local system and privileged access can incorrectly load Windows system DLLs without validating the path or signature (also known as a binary planting or DLL preloading attack), which may lead to denial of service or information disclosure through code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-q4h2-45g8-3929",
"modified": "2022-05-24T22:01:14Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T22:01:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-5695"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4860"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4907"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://safebreach.com/Post/NVIDIA-GPU-Display-Drivers-for-Windows-and-GFE-Software-DLL-Preloading-and-Potential-Abuses-CVE-2019-5694-CVE-2019-5695"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-Q4J6-XJG3-XPQ3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:45 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:45Loading a DLL through an Uncontrolled Search Path Element in the Bosch Video Client installer up to and including version 1.7.6.079 potentially allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim's system. A prerequisite is that the victim is tricked into placing a malicious DLL in the same directory where the installer is started from.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-6787"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-03-25T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Loading a DLL through an Uncontrolled Search Path Element in the Bosch Video Client installer up to and including version 1.7.6.079 potentially allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim\u0027s system. A prerequisite is that the victim is tricked into placing a malicious DLL in the same directory where the installer is started from.",
"id": "GHSA-q4j6-xjg3-xpq3",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:45:21Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:45:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-6787"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://psirt.bosch.com/security-advisories/bosch-sa-835563-bt.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-Q4PQ-QX89-48VQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-19 15:30 – Updated: 2025-06-19 15:30Untrusted DLLs in the installer's directory may be loaded and executed, leading to potentially arbitrary code execution with the installer's privileges (admin).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-24916"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-19T14:15:44Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Untrusted DLLs in the installer\u0027s directory may be loaded and executed, leading to potentially arbitrary code execution with the installer\u0027s privileges (admin).",
"id": "GHSA-q4pq-qx89-48vq",
"modified": "2025-06-19T15:30:30Z",
"published": "2025-06-19T15:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-24916"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk183342"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q5GF-37M5-2MJV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-01 15:30 – Updated: 2025-10-01 15:30DigiSign DigiSigner ONE 1.0.4.60 allows DLL Hijacking.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59684"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-01T15:15:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DigiSign DigiSigner ONE 1.0.4.60 allows DLL Hijacking.",
"id": "GHSA-q5gf-37m5-2mjv",
"modified": "2025-10-01T15:30:34Z",
"published": "2025-10-01T15:30:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59684"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://digisign.ro/products-services/signing-applications"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Henkel-CyberVM/CVEs/tree/main/CVE-2025-59684"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q5PR-8H42-J678
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-16 18:32 – Updated: 2026-06-16 18:32Dell Peripheral Manager, versions from 1.5.1 to 1.7.2, contain an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability through preloading malicious executable, leading to arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-22451"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-16T17:16:27Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Dell Peripheral Manager, versions from 1.5.1 to 1.7.2, contain an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability through preloading malicious executable, leading to arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-q5pr-8h42-j678",
"modified": "2026-06-16T18:32:38Z",
"published": "2026-06-16T18:32:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-22451"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000221413/dsa-2024-055-security-update-for-dell-peripheral-manager-uncontrolled-search-path-element-vulnerabilities?lang=en"
}
],
"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-Q684-GC4Q-VCV9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:31 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:31Adobe Premiere Pro version 14.4 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element 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-2020-24424"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-10-21T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Premiere Pro version 14.4 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element 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-q684-gc4q-vcv9",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:31:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-24424"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/premiere_pro/apsb20-64.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-Q6M2-F497-3J77
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-12 03:30 – Updated: 2025-12-12 03:30Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in Altera High Level Synthesis Compiler on Windows allows Search Order Hijacking.This issue affects High Level Synthesis Compiler: from 19.1 through 24.3.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-13669"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-12T03:15:51Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in Altera High Level Synthesis Compiler on Windows allows Search Order Hijacking.This issue affects High Level Synthesis Compiler: from 19.1 through 24.3.",
"id": "GHSA-q6m2-f497-3j77",
"modified": "2025-12-12T03:30:21Z",
"published": "2025-12-12T03:30:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-13669"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.altera.com/security/security-advisory/asa-0003"
}
],
"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-Q6P7-P3CC-VCF9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-12 21:30 – Updated: 2024-11-12 21:30Potential vulnerabilities have been identified in the audio package for certain HP PC products using the Sound Research SECOMN64 driver, which might allow escalation of privilege. Sound Research has released driver updates to mitigate the potential vulnerabilities.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-2207"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-12T20:15:06Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Potential vulnerabilities have been identified in the audio package for certain HP PC products using the Sound Research SECOMN64 driver, which might allow escalation of privilege. Sound Research has released driver updates to mitigate the potential vulnerabilities.",
"id": "GHSA-q6p7-p3cc-vcf9",
"modified": "2024-11-12T21:30:54Z",
"published": "2024-11-12T21:30:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-2207"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_11567250-11567490-16/hpsbhf03987"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q6RH-X5G9-VC24
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 the OCR plugin.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-3012"
],
"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 the OCR plugin.",
"id": "GHSA-q6rh-x5g9-vc24",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:45:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:45:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3012"
},
{
"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-Q77F-M2HW-66XJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:46 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:34Code injection vulnerability in AVG Ultimate 17.1 (and earlier), AVG Internet Security 17.1 (and earlier), and AVG AntiVirus FREE 17.1 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any AVG 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-2017-5566"
],
"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 AVG Ultimate 17.1 (and earlier), AVG Internet Security 17.1 (and earlier), and AVG AntiVirus FREE 17.1 (and earlier) allows a local attacker to bypass a self-protection mechanism, inject arbitrary code, and take full control of any AVG 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-q77f-m2hw-66xj",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:34:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:46:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5566"
},
{
"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/97022"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.