Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-427

Allowed-with-Review

Uncontrolled 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-X8H2-84HG-X9J6

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-08 09:31 – Updated: 2026-07-08 09:31
VLAI
Details

The user-controllable executable files will be directly executed by high-privilege processes, allowing low-privilege users to have the opportunity to elevate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-57239"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-08T09:16:31Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The user-controllable executable files will be directly executed by high-privilege processes, allowing low-privilege users to have the opportunity to elevate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM.",
  "id": "GHSA-x8h2-84hg-x9j6",
  "modified": "2026-07-08T09:31:50Z",
  "published": "2026-07-08T09:31:50Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-57239"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html"
    }
  ],
  "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:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-X8J7-M33V-2RQW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:11 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:11
VLAI
Details

Adobe Dimension version 3.4 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element element. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve 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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-28595"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-08-20T19:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Adobe Dimension version 3.4 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element element. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve 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-x8j7-m33v-2rqw",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T19:11:47Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T19:11:47Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28595"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dimension/apsb21-40.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-X9QC-M3Q8-9G77

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-12-12 09:30 – Updated: 2025-05-27 15:31
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered in EnterpriseDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) before 11.21.32, 12.x before 12.16.20, 13.x before 13.12.16, 14.x before 14.9.0, and 15.x before 15.4.0. It contain packages, standalone packages, and functions that run SECURITY DEFINER but are inadequately secured against search_path attacks.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-41117"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-12-12T07:15:44Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered in EnterpriseDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) before 11.21.32, 12.x before 12.16.20, 13.x before 13.12.16, 14.x before 14.9.0, and 15.x before 15.4.0. It contain packages, standalone packages, and functions that run SECURITY DEFINER but are inadequately secured against search_path attacks.",
  "id": "GHSA-x9qc-m3q8-9g77",
  "modified": "2025-05-27T15:31:18Z",
  "published": "2023-12-12T09:30:32Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-41117"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/security/advisories/cve202341117"
    }
  ],
  "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-X9QQ-H45J-7CHV

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:11 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:11
VLAI
Details

A DLL preloading vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Driver Management prior to version 2.9.0719.1104 that could allow privilege escalation.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-3633"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-426",
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-08-17T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A DLL preloading vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Driver Management prior to version 2.9.0719.1104 that could allow privilege escalation.",
  "id": "GHSA-x9qq-h45j-7chv",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T19:11:26Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T19:11:26Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3633"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://iknow.lenovo.com.cn/detail/dc_198418.html"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-XC4C-G546-WR9G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-18 00:01 – Updated: 2022-03-25 00:00
VLAI
Details

The installer of WPS Office Version 10.8.0.5745 insecurely load shcore.dll, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-26081"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-03-17T18:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The installer of WPS Office Version 10.8.0.5745 insecurely load shcore.dll, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privilege of the user invoking the installer.",
  "id": "GHSA-xc4c-g546-wr9g",
  "modified": "2022-03-25T00:00:52Z",
  "published": "2022-03-18T00:01:09Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-26081"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN21234459"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://support.kingsoft.jp/support-info/weakness.html"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-XCPC-FFVJ-QVHW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-11 18:31 – Updated: 2026-02-11 18:31
VLAI
Details

PostgreSQL Anonymizer contains a vulnerability that allows a user to gain superuser privileges by creating a temporary view based on a function containing malicious code. When the anon.get_tablesample_ratio function is then called, the malicious code is executed with superuser privileges. This privilege elevation can be exploited by users having the CREATE privilege in PostgreSQL 15 and later. The risk is higher with PostgreSQL 14 or with instances upgraded from PostgreSQL 14 or a prior version because the creation permission on the public schema is granted by default. The problem is resolved in PostgreSQL Anonymizer 3.0.1 and further versions

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-2361"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-02-11T18:16:08Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "PostgreSQL Anonymizer contains a vulnerability that allows a user to gain superuser privileges by creating a temporary view based on a function containing malicious code. When the anon.get_tablesample_ratio function is then called, the malicious code is executed with superuser privileges. This privilege elevation can be exploited by users having the CREATE privilege in PostgreSQL 15 and later. The risk is higher with PostgreSQL 14 or with instances upgraded from PostgreSQL 14 or a prior version because the creation permission on the public schema is granted by default. The problem is resolved in PostgreSQL Anonymizer 3.0.1 and further versions",
  "id": "GHSA-xcpc-ffvj-qvhw",
  "modified": "2026-02-11T18:31:31Z",
  "published": "2026-02-11T18:31:31Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2361"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gitlab.com/dalibo/postgresql_anonymizer/-/blob/latest/NEWS.md"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gitlab.com/dalibo/postgresql_anonymizer/-/issues/617"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-XFF5-4P93-933W

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:37 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:37
VLAI
Details

In SpiderControl MicroBrowser Windows XP, Vista 7, 8 and 10, Versions 1.6.30.144 and prior, an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability has been identified which could be exploited by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path. If the malicious DLL is loaded prior to the valid DLL, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2017-14010"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-04-26T19:29:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "In SpiderControl MicroBrowser Windows XP, Vista 7, 8 and 10, Versions 1.6.30.144 and prior, an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability has been identified which could be exploited by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path.  If the malicious DLL is loaded prior to the valid DLL, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system.",
  "id": "GHSA-xff5-4p93-933w",
  "modified": "2022-05-13T01:37:40Z",
  "published": "2022-05-13T01:37:40Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-14010"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-292-01"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://spidercontrol.net/download/downloadarea/?lang=en"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101505"
    }
  ],
  "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-XFH2-MF33-R8PH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-30 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-09 00:00
VLAI
Details

A binary hijack in Embarcadero Dev-CPP v6.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .exe file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-33036"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-06-29T13:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A binary hijack in Embarcadero Dev-CPP v6.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .exe file.",
  "id": "GHSA-xfh2-mf33-r8ph",
  "modified": "2022-07-09T00:00:25Z",
  "published": "2022-06-30T00:00:36Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33036"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/ycdxsb/Vuln/blob/main/Embarcadero-Dev-Cpp-CreateProcessW-Misuse-Binary-Hijack/Embarcadero-Dev-Cpp-CreateProcessW-Misuse-Binary-Hijack.md"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-XGCF-57XV-V846

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39
VLAI
Details

Adobe Animate version 21.0 (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.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-21008"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-01-13T23:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Adobe Animate version 21.0 (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-xgcf-57xv-v846",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:39:22Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21008"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/animate/apsb21-03.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-XJ35-G37R-FRW9

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-14 03:31 – Updated: 2025-01-14 03:31
VLAI
Details

Due to DLL injection vulnerability in SAPSetup, an attacker with either local user privileges or with access to a compromised corporate user�s Windows account could gain higher privileges. With this, he could move laterally within the network and further compromise the active directory of a company. This leads to high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Windows server.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-0069"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-427"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-01-14T01:15:17Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Due to DLL injection vulnerability in SAPSetup, an attacker with either local user privileges or with access to a compromised corporate user\ufffds Windows account could gain higher privileges. With this, he could move laterally within the network and further compromise the active directory of a company. This leads to high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Windows server.",
  "id": "GHSA-xj35-g37r-frw9",
  "modified": "2025-01-14T03:31:42Z",
  "published": "2025-01-14T03:31:42Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0069"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://me.sap.com/notes/3542533"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://url.sap/sapsecuritypatchday"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation
Architecture and Design Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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
Implementation

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.