Untrusted Search Path
CWE-426
The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
Some of the most common variants of untrusted search path are: In various UNIX and Linux-based systems, the PATH environment variable may be consulted to locate executable programs, and LD_PRELOAD may be used to locate a separate library. Programming languages may have their own paths for locating code, e.g. PERL5LIB in Perl. In various Microsoft-based systems, the PATH environment variable is consulted to locate a DLL, if the DLL is not found in other paths that appear earlier in the search order.
We track 211 vulnerabilities of this type. 100% are rated high or critical, and the average CVSS score is 7.8. 3 have been exploited in real attacks.
How this weakness is prevented
- Architecture and Design Implementation: 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.
- Implementation: 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.
- Implementation: 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.
- 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.
- 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 it, while execl() and execv() require a full path.
Latest Untrusted Search Path vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
MuPDF: Untrusted Search Path
A flaw has been found in Artifex MuPDF up to 1.26.1 on Windows. The impacted element is the function get_system_dpi of the file platform/x11/win_main.c. This manipulation causes uncontrolled search path. The attack requires local access. The attack is consider
- 7.8 High severity
sumatrapdf: Untrusted Search Path
SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.2 and earlier, the PDF reader allows execution of a malicious binary (explorer.exe) located in the same directory as the opened PDF when the user clicks File → “Show in folder”. This behavior leads to arb
- 7.8 High severity
3ds Max: Untrusted Search Path
A maliciously crafted project directory, when opening a max file in Autodesk 3ds Max, could lead to execution of arbitrary code in the context of the current process due to an Untrusted Search Path being utilized.
- 9.3 Critical severity
MXTCT, MSNGM, MSTGM, MXNGM, MXTGM, CSNGV…: Untrusted Search Path
An untrusted search path vulnerability has been identified in the Embedded Solutions Framework in various Lexmark devices. This vulnerability can be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
- 7.0 High severity
opentelemetry-go: Untrusted Search Path
OpenTelemetry-Go is the Go implementation of OpenTelemetry. The OpenTelemetry Go SDK in version v1.20.0-1.39.0 is vulnerable to Path Hijacking (Untrusted Search Paths) on macOS/Darwin systems. The resource detection code in sdk/resource/host_id.go executes the
- 8.8 High severity
Native Access: Untrusted Search Path
During the installation of the Native Access application, a privileged helper `com.native-instruments.NativeAccess.Helper2`, which is used by Native Access to trigger functions via XPC communication like copy-file, remove or set-permissions, is deployed as wel
- 7.8 High severity
sumatrapdf: Untrusted Search Path
SumatraPDF is a multi-format reader for Windows. In 3.5.2 and earlier, there is a Untrusted Search Path vulnerability when Advanced Options setting is trigger. The application executes notepad.exe without specifying an absolute path when using the Advanced Opt
- 8.6 High severity
Illustrator Desktop 2026: Untrusted Search Path
Illustrator versions 29.8.3, 30.0 and earlier are affected by an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. If the application uses a search path to locate critical resources such as pr
- 7.8 High severity
ASCI: Untrusted Search Path
An uncontrolled DLL loading path vulnerability exists in AsusSoftwareManagerAgent. A local attacker may influence the application to load a DLL from an attacker-controlled location, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Refer to the ' Security Upd
- 7.8 High severity
framework: Untrusted Search Path
FreePBX is an open-source web-based graphical user interface (GUI) that manages Asterisk. Prior to versions 16.0.45 and 17.0.24 of the FreePBX framework, an authenticated local privilege escalation exists in the deprecated FreePBX startup script `amportal`. In
- 7.8 High severity
Acrobat Reader: Untrusted Search Path
Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30264, 20.005.30793, 25.001.20982, 24.001.30273, 20.005.30803 and earlier are affected by an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability that might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the appl
- 8.1 High severity
PgBouncer: Untrusted Search Path
Untrusted search path in auth_query connection handler in PgBouncer before 1.25.1 allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL during authentication via a malicious search_path parameter in the StartupMessage.
- 7.3 High severity
AMD StoreMI™: Untrusted Search Path
Incorrect default permissions in AMD StoreMI™ could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
- 7.3 High severity
AMD StoreMI™: Untrusted Search Path
A DLL hijacking vulnerability in AMD StoreMI™ could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
- 7.0 High severity
MuseHub: Untrusted Search Path
A security flaw has been discovered in Muse Group MuseHub 2.1.0.1567. The affected element is an unknown function of the file C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Muse.MuseHub_2.1.0.1567_x64__rb9pth70m6nz6\Muse.Updater.exe of the component Windows Service. The manipul
- 7.3 High severity
InstallShield: Untrusted Search Path
Potential privilege escalation issue in Revenera InstallShield version 2023 R1 running a renamed Setup.exe on Windows. When a local administrator executes a renamed Setup.exe, the MPR.dll may get loaded from an insecure location and can result in a privilege e
- 7.0 High severity
VeePN: Untrusted Search Path
A weakness has been identified in VeePN up to 1.6.2. This affects an unknown function of the file C:\Program Files (x86)\VeePN\avservice\avservice.exe of the component AVService. This manipulation causes unquoted search path. The attack requires local access.
- 7.0 High severity
Backup Suite: Untrusted Search Path
A weakness has been identified in Hasleo Backup Suite up to 5.2. Impacted is an unknown function of the component HasleoImageMountService/HasleoBackupSuiteService. This manipulation causes unquoted search path. The attack is restricted to local execution. The
- 7.0 High severity
LibreWolf: Untrusted Search Path
A security vulnerability has been detected in LibreWolf up to 143.0.4-1 on Windows. This affects an unknown function of the file assets/setup.nsi of the component Installer. Such manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. The attack must be carried out lo
- 7.4 High severity
Unity Editor: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command
Unity Runtime before 2025-10-02 on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux allows argument injection that can result in loading of library code from an unintended location. If an application was built with a version of Unity Editor that had the vulnerable Unity Run
- 7.0 High severity
Toolkit: Untrusted Search Path
In Seagate Toolkit on Windows a vulnerability exists in the Toolkit Installer prior to versions 2.35.0.6 where it attempts to load DLLs from the current working directory without validating their origin or integrity. This behavior can be exploited by placing a
- 7.0 High severity
Control Center GX V2: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability has been found in Mechrevo Control Center GX V2 5.56.51.48. Affected is an unknown function of the file C:\Program Files\OEM\机械革命控制中心\AiStoneService\MyControlCenter\Command of the component Powershell Script Handler. Such manipulation leads to
- 7.0 High severity
Control Center GX V2: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability was detected in Mechrevo Control Center GX V2 5.56.51.48. Impacted is an unknown function of the component reg File Handler. The manipulation results in uncontrolled search path. The attack needs to be approached locally. The attack requires a
- 7.8 High severity
AutoCAD: Untrusted Search Path
A maliciously crafted binary file, when present while loading files in certain Autodesk applications, could lead to execution of arbitrary code in the context of the current process due to an untrusted search path being utilized.
- 9.0 Critical severity
Container Toolkit: Untrusted Search Path
NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in some hooks used to initialize the container, where an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to escalation of
- 8.4 High severity
GlobalProtect App: Untrusted Search Path
An incorrect privilege assignment vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ App on enables a locally authenticated non administrative user to escalate their privileges to root on macOS and Linux or NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows. The GlobalProtect
- 8.4 High severity
Apache Tomcat: Untrusted Search Path
Untrusted Search Path vulnerability in Apache Tomcat installer for Windows. During installation, the Tomcat installer for Windows used icacls.exe without specifying a full path. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.7, from 10.1.0 throu
- 7.8 High severity
Installer: Untrusted Search Path
A maliciously crafted binary file when downloaded could lead to escalation of privileges to NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM due to an untrusted search path being utilized in the Autodesk Installer application. Exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to code execution.
- 7.3 High severity
Filmora: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Wondershare Filmora 14.5.16. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library CRYPTBASE.dll of the file NFWCHK.exe of the component Installer. The manipulation leads to unc
- 8.5 High severity
Automic Automation: Untrusted Search Path
Broadcom Automic Automation Agent Unix versions < 24.3.0 HF4 and < 21.0.13 HF1 allow low privileged users who have execution rights on the agent executable to escalate their privileges.
- 7.8 High severity
glibc: Untrusted Search Path
Untrusted LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable vulnerability in the GNU C Library version 2.27 to 2.38 allows attacker controlled loading of dynamically shared library in statically compiled setuid binaries that call dlopen (including internal dlopen calls aft
- 7.0 High severity
Anytxt Searcher: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in CBEWIN Anytxt Searcher 1.3.1128.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file ATService.exe. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. The attack needs to be approached locally. The complex
- 7.0 High severity
C-Lodop: Unquoted Search Path or Element
A vulnerability was found in MTSoftware C-Lodop 6.6.1.1 on Windows. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component CLodopPrintService. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. The attack needs to be approached
- 7.0 High severity
ToDesk: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
A vulnerability was found in Hainan ToDesk 4.7.6.3. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code in the library profapi.dll of the component DLL File Parser. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. It is possible to lau
- 7.0 High severity
SunloginClient: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Shanghai Bairui Information Technology SunloginClient 15.8.3.19819. This affects an unknown part in the library process.dll of the file sunlogin_guard.exe. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search p
- 7.8 High severity
Discord: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Discord 1.0.9188 on Windows. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library WINSTA.dll. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. The attack needs to be approac
- 7.0 High severity
Home Updater: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability was found in Patch My PC Home Updater up to 5.1.3.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing in the library advapi32.dll/BCrypt.dll/comctl32.dll/crypt32.dll/dwmapi.dll/gdi32.dll/gdiplus.dll/imm32.dll/iphlpapi.d
- 7.0 High severity
Control Console: Untrusted Search Path
A vulnerability was found in Mechrevo Control Console 1.0.2.70. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library C:\Program Files\OEM\MECHREVO Control Center\UniwillService\MyControlCenter\csCAPI.dll of the com
- 9.1 Critical severity
aiven-extras: Untrusted Search Path
aiven-extras is a PostgreSQL extension. This is a privilege escalation vulnerability, allowing elevation to superuser inside PostgreSQL databases that use the aiven-extras package. The vulnerability leverages the format function not being schema-prefixed. Affe
- 7.8 High severity
Illustrator: Untrusted Search Path
Illustrator versions 29.2.1, 28.7.4 and earlier are affected by an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability that might allow attackers to execute their own programs, access unauthorized data files, or modify configuration in unexpected ways. If the application uses