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-4J56-JG72-X59R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-01-03 21:30 – Updated: 2024-01-03 21:30Uncontrolled search path vulnerabilities were reported in the Lenovo Universal Device Client (UDC) that could allow an attacker with local access to execute code with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-6338"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-01-03T21:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path vulnerabilities were reported in the Lenovo Universal Device Client (UDC) that could allow an attacker with local access to execute code with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-4j56-jg72-x59r",
"modified": "2024-01-03T21:30:31Z",
"published": "2024-01-03T21:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6338"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-121183"
}
],
"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-4J5R-P7P6-V9J4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-04 15:30 – Updated: 2024-09-04 15:30A local privilege escalation is caused by Overwolf loading and executing certain dynamic link library files from a user-writeable folder in SYSTEM context on launch. This allows an attacker with unprivileged access to the system to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by placing a malicious .dll file in the respective location.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-7834"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-04T13:15:07Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A local privilege escalation is caused by Overwolf\nloading and executing certain dynamic link library files from a user-writeable\nfolder in SYSTEM context on launch. This allows an attacker with unprivileged\naccess to the system to run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by placing a\nmalicious .dll file in the respective location.",
"id": "GHSA-4j5r-p7p6-v9j4",
"modified": "2024-09-04T15:30:34Z",
"published": "2024-09-04T15:30:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-7834"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cirosec.de/sa/sa-2024-004"
}
],
"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-4JMF-2GGR-PH9X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-16 21:31 – Updated: 2024-05-16 21:31Uncontrolled search path in some Libva software maintained by Intel(R) before version 2.20.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-39929"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-16T21:15:53Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in some Libva software maintained by Intel(R) before version 2.20.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-4jmf-2ggr-ph9x",
"modified": "2024-05-16T21:31:59Z",
"published": "2024-05-16T21:31:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-39929"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01012.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-4MH6-F24X-F3GR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31CoolerMaster MasterPlus 1.8.5 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the MPService that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can drop a malicious executable in the service path and trigger code execution during service startup or system reboot.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50808"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:50Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "CoolerMaster MasterPlus 1.8.5 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the MPService that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can drop a malicious executable in the service path and trigger code execution during service startup or system reboot.",
"id": "GHSA-4mh6-f24x-f3gr",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50808"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://masterplus.coolermaster.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/51159"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/coolermaster-masterplus-mpservice-unquoted-service-path"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/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-4P8M-4923-VW6G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:34 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:34Emerson DeltaV DCS versions 11.3.1, 12.3.1, 13.3.0, 13.3.1, R5 allow a specially crafted DLL file to be placed in the search path and loaded as an internal and valid DLL, which may allow arbitrary code execution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-14797"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-08-23T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Emerson DeltaV DCS versions 11.3.1, 12.3.1, 13.3.0, 13.3.1, R5 allow a specially crafted DLL file to be placed in the search path and loaded as an internal and valid DLL, which may allow arbitrary code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-4p8m-4923-vw6g",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:34:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:34:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-14797"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-228-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105105"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4P9G-444M-88PG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:08 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:08** DISPUTED ** DLL hijacking is possible in Sublime Text 3 version 3.1.1 build 3176 on 32-bit Windows platforms because a Trojan horse api-ms-win-core-fibers-l1-1-1.dll or api-ms-win-core-localization-l1-2-1.dll file may be loaded if a victim uses sublime_text.exe to open a .txt file within an attacker's %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp\sublime_text folder. NOTE: the vendor's position is "This does not appear to be a bug with Sublime Text, but rather one with Windows that has been patched."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-9116"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-25T07:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** DLL hijacking is possible in Sublime Text 3 version 3.1.1 build 3176 on 32-bit Windows platforms because a Trojan horse api-ms-win-core-fibers-l1-1-1.dll or api-ms-win-core-localization-l1-2-1.dll file may be loaded if a victim uses sublime_text.exe to open a .txt file within an attacker\u0027s %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Temp\\sublime_text folder. NOTE: the vendor\u0027s position is \"This does not appear to be a bug with Sublime Text, but rather one with Windows that has been patched.\"",
"id": "GHSA-4p9g-444m-88pg",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:08:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:08:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-9116"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/SublimeTextIssues/Core/issues/2544"
}
],
"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-4PC9-WMRM-8P87
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-11 15:31 – Updated: 2024-03-14 00:31Privilege escalation in windows agent plugin in Checkmk before 2.2.0p23, 2.1.0p40 and 2.0.0 (EOL) allows local user to escalate privileges
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-0670"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-03-11T15:15:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Privilege escalation in windows agent plugin in Checkmk before 2.2.0p23, 2.1.0p40 and 2.0.0 (EOL) allows local user to escalate privileges",
"id": "GHSA-4pc9-wmrm-8p87",
"modified": "2024-03-14T00:31:05Z",
"published": "2024-03-11T15:31:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-0670"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://checkmk.com/werk/16361"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/29"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4PPG-C52G-RPX2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-02-17 15:30 – Updated: 2023-02-25 06:30Infoblox BloxOne Endpoint for Windows through 2.2.7 allows DLL injection that can result in local privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-32972"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-02-17T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Infoblox BloxOne Endpoint for Windows through 2.2.7 allows DLL injection that can result in local privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-4ppg-c52g-rpx2",
"modified": "2023-02-25T06:30:21Z",
"published": "2023-02-17T15:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-32972"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://community.infoblox.com/t5/trending-kb-articles/cve-2022-32972-infoblox-bloxone-endpoint-for-windows-local/ba-p/24912"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://infoblox.com"
}
],
"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-4PVG-877C-6RG9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-10 12:30 – Updated: 2026-01-29 03:31DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a dxtn.dll file of their choice in the 'C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\' directory, which could lead to arbitrary code execution and persistence.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-10213"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-10T12:15:31Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a dxtn.dll file of their choice in the \u0027C:\\Users\\\u003cuser\u003e\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\WindowsApps\\\u0027 directory, which could lead to arbitrary code execution and persistence.",
"id": "GHSA-4pvg-877c-6rg9",
"modified": "2026-01-29T03:31:24Z",
"published": "2025-09-10T12:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-10213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/multiple-vulnerabilities-updf"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/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-4Q3W-JC7C-V4R9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-17 21:32 – Updated: 2025-06-17 21:32An uncontrolled search path vulnerability in the Trend Micro Apex One security agent could allow a local attacker to escalation privileges on affected installations.
Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-49158"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-17T19:15:33Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An uncontrolled search path vulnerability in the Trend Micro Apex One security agent could allow a local attacker to escalation privileges on affected installations.\n\nPlease note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-4q3w-jc7c-v4r9",
"modified": "2025-06-17T21:32:30Z",
"published": "2025-06-17T21:32:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-49158"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/en-US/solution/KA-0019917"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-365"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.