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-4427-H6H2-WH2W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-22 06:30 – Updated: 2023-11-29 21:30A binary hijacking vulnerability exists within the VideoLAN VLC media player before 3.0.19 on Windows. The uninstaller attempts to execute code with elevated privileges out of a standard user writable location. Standard users may use this to gain arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-46814"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-22T05:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A binary hijacking vulnerability exists within the VideoLAN VLC media player before 3.0.19 on Windows. The uninstaller attempts to execute code with elevated privileges out of a standard user writable location. Standard users may use this to gain arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM.",
"id": "GHSA-4427-h6h2-wh2w",
"modified": "2023-11-29T21:30:17Z",
"published": "2023-11-22T06:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46814"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.videolan.org/security/sb-vlc3019.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-4446-C973-3QV5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-09 21:32 – Updated: 2026-06-09 21:32Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30365, 26.001.21651 and earlier are affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element 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. Scope is changed.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-47937"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-09T21:17:23Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30365, 26.001.21651 and earlier are affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element 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. Scope is changed.",
"id": "GHSA-4446-c973-3qv5",
"modified": "2026-06-09T21:32:39Z",
"published": "2026-06-09T21:32:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-47937"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb26-63.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4486-GXHX-5MG7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-30 21:28 – Updated: 2026-01-31 03:54Summary
PsySH automatically loads and executes a .psysh.php file from the Current Working Directory (CWD) on startup. If an attacker can write to a directory that a victim later uses as their CWD when launching PsySH, the attacker can trigger arbitrary code execution in the victim's context. When the victim runs PsySH with elevated privileges (e.g., root), this results in local privilege escalation.
Details
PsySH supports per-directory configuration via a .psysh.php file located in the process CWD. This file is executed implicitly when PsySH starts, without requiring explicit opt-in and without validating that the file and directory are safe (e.g., owned by the current user and not group/world-writable).
This enables a CWD poisoning scenario: a low-privileged user can plant a malicious .psysh.php in any directory they can write to, then wait for a higher-privileged user to start PsySH while their shell is in that directory.
PoC
- As a low-privileged user, create a malicious
.psysh.phpin an attacker-writable directory (example:/tmp):
bob@localhost:/tmp$ echo "<?php system('id > poc.txt'); ?>" > .psysh.php
bob@localhost:/tmp# ls -lah .psysh.php
-rw-r--r-- 1 bob bob 33 Jan 28 11:17 .psysh.php
- As the victim user, start PsySH with CWD set to that directory and exit:
root@localhost:/tmp# cd /tmp
root@localhost:/tmp# ./psysh
Psy Shell v0.12.18 (PHP 8.1.2-1ubuntu2.23 — cli) by Justin Hileman
New PHP manual is available (latest: 3.0.1). Update with `doc --update-manual`
> exit
INFO Goodbye.
- Verify code execution triggered in the victim context:
```bash bob@localhost:/tmp$ ls -lah poc.txt -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 39 Jan 28 11:19 poc.txt bob@localhost:/tmp$ cat poc.txt uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root) ````
Impact
This is a CWD configuration poisoning issue leading to arbitrary code execution in the victim user’s context. If a privileged user (e.g., root, a CI runner, or an ops/debug account) launches PsySH with CWD set to an attacker-writable directory containing a malicious .psysh.php, the attacker can execute commands with that privileged user’s permissions, resulting in local privilege escalation.
Downstream consumers that embed PsySH inherit this risk. For example, Laravel Tinker (php artisan tinker) uses PsySH. If a privileged user runs Tinker while their shell is in an attacker-writable directory, the .psysh.php auto-load behavior can be abused in the same way to execute attacker-controlled code under the victim’s privileges.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 0.12.18"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Packagist",
"name": "psy/psysh"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.12.0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.12.19"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 0.11.22"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Packagist",
"name": "psy/psysh"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.11.23"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-25129"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-01-30T21:28:44Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-30T21:15:58Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "### Summary\nPsySH automatically loads and executes a `.psysh.php` file from the Current Working Directory (CWD) on startup. If an attacker can write to a directory that a victim later uses as their CWD when launching PsySH, the attacker can trigger arbitrary code execution in the victim\u0027s context. When the victim runs PsySH with elevated privileges (e.g., root), this results in local privilege escalation.\n\n### Details\nPsySH supports per-directory configuration via a `.psysh.php` file located in the process CWD. This file is executed implicitly when PsySH starts, without requiring explicit opt-in and without validating that the file and directory are safe (e.g., owned by the current user and not group/world-writable).\n\nThis enables a CWD poisoning scenario: a low-privileged user can plant a malicious `.psysh.php` in any directory they can write to, then wait for a higher-privileged user to start PsySH while their shell is in that directory.\n\n### PoC\n1. As a low-privileged user, create a malicious `.psysh.php` in an attacker-writable directory (example: `/tmp`):\n\n```bash\nbob@localhost:/tmp$ echo \"\u003c?php system(\u0027id \u003e poc.txt\u0027); ?\u003e\" \u003e .psysh.php\nbob@localhost:/tmp# ls -lah .psysh.php\n-rw-r--r-- 1 bob bob 33 Jan 28 11:17 .psysh.php\n```\n\n2. As the victim user, start PsySH with CWD set to that directory and exit:\n\n```bash\nroot@localhost:/tmp# cd /tmp\nroot@localhost:/tmp# ./psysh\nPsy Shell v0.12.18 (PHP 8.1.2-1ubuntu2.23 \u2014 cli) by Justin Hileman\nNew PHP manual is available (latest: 3.0.1). Update with `doc --update-manual`\n\u003e exit\n\n INFO Goodbye.\n\n```\n\n3. Verify code execution triggered in the victim context:\n\n```bash\nbob@localhost:/tmp$ ls -lah poc.txt\n-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 39 Jan 28 11:19 poc.txt\nbob@localhost:/tmp$ cat poc.txt\nuid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)\n````\n\n\n### Impact\n\nThis is a CWD configuration poisoning issue leading to arbitrary code execution in the victim user\u2019s context. If a privileged user (e.g., root, a CI runner, or an ops/debug account) launches PsySH with CWD set to an attacker-writable directory containing a malicious `.psysh.php`, the attacker can execute commands with that privileged user\u2019s permissions, resulting in local privilege escalation.\n\nDownstream consumers that embed PsySH inherit this risk. For example, Laravel Tinker (`php artisan tinker`) uses PsySH. If a privileged user runs Tinker while their shell is in an attacker-writable directory, the `.psysh.php` auto-load behavior can be abused in the same way to execute attacker-controlled code under the victim\u2019s privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-4486-gxhx-5mg7",
"modified": "2026-01-31T03:54:31Z",
"published": "2026-01-30T21:28:44Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/bobthecow/psysh/security/advisories/GHSA-4486-gxhx-5mg7"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25129"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/bobthecow/psysh"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/bobthecow/psysh/releases/tag/v0.11.23"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/bobthecow/psysh/releases/tag/v0.12.19"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "PsySH has Local Privilege Escalation via CWD .psysh.php auto-load"
}
GHSA-44FH-QW29-WQF9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-25 09:32 – Updated: 2024-10-26 00:32Whale browser Installer before 3.1.0.0 allows an attacker to execute a malicious DLL in the user environment due to improper permission settings.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-50583"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-25T07:15:05Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Whale browser Installer before 3.1.0.0 allows an attacker to execute a malicious DLL in the user environment due to improper permission settings.",
"id": "GHSA-44fh-qw29-wqf9",
"modified": "2024-10-26T00:32:28Z",
"published": "2024-10-25T09:32:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-50583"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cve.naver.com/detail/cve-2024-50583.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-456W-H99J-M5VJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-13 00:33 – Updated: 2025-02-13 00:33Uncontrolled search path for the Intel(R) XTU software for Windows before version 7.14.2.14 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-39372"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-12T22:15:36Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path for the Intel(R) XTU software for Windows before version 7.14.2.14 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-456w-h99j-m5vj",
"modified": "2025-02-13T00:33:06Z",
"published": "2025-02-13T00:33:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39372"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01215.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-45C2-G3RG-FWMG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-11 18:31 – Updated: 2026-06-11 18:31IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a user to gain elevated privileges due to an unqualified library call. A malicious actor could cause user-controlled code to run with administrator privilege.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-7870"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-11T16:16:25Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a user to gain elevated privileges due to an unqualified library call. A malicious actor could cause user-controlled code to run with administrator privilege.",
"id": "GHSA-45c2-g3rg-fwmg",
"modified": "2026-06-11T18:31:34Z",
"published": "2026-06-11T18:31:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-7870"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7275756"
}
],
"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-45C9-WRJH-8H56
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-06 00:31 – Updated: 2026-03-06 00:31Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect 17 (Windows) before build 41186.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-28711"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-06T00:16:11Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect 17 (Windows) before build 41186.",
"id": "GHSA-45c9-wrjh-8h56",
"modified": "2026-03-06T00:31:35Z",
"published": "2026-03-06T00:31:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28711"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-2330"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-45JP-C6FF-RG7J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:12 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:12Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application (installer) version 2.4 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability. 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.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-28594"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-08-24T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application (installer) version 2.4 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability. 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-45jp-c6ff-rg7j",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:12:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:12:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28594"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-41.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-45R3-H8RH-577V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:30 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:303CX Uncontrolled Search Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of 3CX. 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 configuration of OpenSSL. The product loads an OpenSSL configuration 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-20026.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-27362"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T02:15:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "3CX Uncontrolled Search Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of 3CX. 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 configuration of OpenSSL. The product loads an OpenSSL configuration 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-20026.",
"id": "GHSA-45r3-h8rh-577v",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:30:49Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:30:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27362"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/v18-u8"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1153"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-45W9-C3Q7-MCCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-12-13 09:30 – Updated: 2023-12-13 09:30Usage of user controlled LD_LIBRARY_PATH in agent in Checkmk 2.2.0p10 up to 2.2.0p16 allows malicious Checkmk site user to escalate rights via injection of malicious libraries
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-31210"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-12-13T09:15:34Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Usage of user controlled LD_LIBRARY_PATH in agent in Checkmk 2.2.0p10 up to 2.2.0p16 allows malicious Checkmk site user to escalate rights via injection of malicious libraries",
"id": "GHSA-45w9-c3q7-mccg",
"modified": "2023-12-13T09:30:32Z",
"published": "2023-12-13T09:30:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-31210"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://checkmk.com/werk/16226"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.