Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CWE-427
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.
Although this weakness can occur with any type of resource, it is frequently introduced when a product uses a directory search path to find executables or code libraries, but the path contains a directory that can be modified by an attacker, such as /tmp or the current working directory. In Windows-based systems, when the LoadLibrary or LoadLibraryEx function is called with a DLL name that does not contain a fully qualified path, the function follows a search order that includes two path elements that might be uncontrolled: the directory from which the program has been loaded the current working directory In some cases, the attack can be conducted remotely, such as when SMB or WebDAV network shares are used. One or more locations in that path could include the Windows drive root or its subdirectories. This often exists in Linux-based code assuming the controlled nature of the root directory (/) or its subdirectories (/etc, etc), or a code that recursively accesses the parent directory. In Windows, the drive root and some of its subdirectories have weak permissions by default, which makes them uncontrolled. In some Unix-based systems, a PATH might be created that contains an empty element, e.g. by splicing an empty variable into the PATH. This empty element can be interpreted as equivalent to the current working directory, which might be an untrusted search element. In software package management frameworks (e.g., npm, RubyGems, or PyPi), the framework may identify dependencie
We track 610 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. Since this is a denylist approach, it might not be a complete solution.
- 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.
Latest Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
nltk: Untrusted Search Path
NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) is a suite of open source Python modules, data sets, and tutorials supporting research and development in Natural Language Processing. Prior to 3.10.4, nltk.parse.dependencygraph.dot2img resolves the Graphviz dot executable thro
- 7.0 High severity
Postecert FIRMAOK!: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Poste Italiane Postecert FIRMAOK! 1.6.29 on Windows contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability caused by an uncontrolled OpenSSL search path, where launcher.exe and dependent executables such as updater.exe and tslupdater.exe load OpenSSL configuratio
- 7.2 High severity
PostgreSQL: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Uncontrolled search path element in PostgreSQL CREATE EXTENSION allows an attacker with database-level CREATE privilege to execute arbitrary code as the bootstrap superuser, via ALTER SCHEMA ... RENAME or CREATE EXTENSION ... SCHEMA "$user". ALTER EXTENSION wa
- 7.8 High severity
hMailServer: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Progressive Robot hMailServer 6.2.3 through 6.3.7 on Windows, with a MySQL or MariaDB database, hands the bundled MariaDB Connector/C the folder of its authentication plugins (the plugin folder in the installation's Bin folder) as Latin-1 bytes, which the clie
- 8.2 High severity
Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager for Windows: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Binary Planting Vulnerability in Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager for Windows. This issue affects Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager for Windows: from 5.9.5-00 before 9.0.4-01.
- 7.5 High severity
SAP Host Agent: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
SAP Host Agent does not sufficiently validate certain inputs. Under certain condition, an attacker with low privileges could abuse the affected functionality to influence an internal component into loading a malicious file under a privileged account. Successfu
- 7.8 High severity
Core Ven: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The OpenSSL library bundled with the Illumio VEN is affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability. A low-privileged, authenticated local attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
- 9.3 Critical severity
V-Ray Swarm: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Uncontrolled search path element in package upload feature in Chaos Software V-Ray versions through 2.0.19 allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code via redirecting access to libraries
- 8.8 High severity
mistral-vibe: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Mistral Vibe before 2.25.5 on Windows contains an untrusted search path vulnerability that allows attackers to execute code by placing git.exe in a repository root. Attackers can lure users into opening a crafted repository so SessionLogger and ProjectContextP
- 7.8 High severity
Apache OpenOffice: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The Windows installers of Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16 and earlier allow an already manipulated system to run external code with elevated access. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.1.17, which fixes this issue.
- 7.5 High severity
claude-code: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Claude Desktop is Anthropic's desktop application for interacting with Claude. Prior to 1.8089.0, Claude Desktop on Windows invokes git.exe through uv_spawn without an absolute path, allowing Windows search-path resolution to select a malicious git.exe placed
- 8.2 High severity
Dameware: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
SolarWinds Dameware was found to be affected by a DLL hijacking vulnerability. The hijack occurs during installations only and requires access to the local machine and admin privileges.
- 8.2 High severity
Metalama is a Roslyn-based open-source patterns and architecture toolkit for C#.
Metalama is a Roslyn-based open-source patterns and architecture toolkit for C#. Prior to 2025.1.18, 2026.0.25 and 2026.1.19, Metalama.Framework and Metalama.Tool load and execute compile-time assemblies, auxiliary executable tools and embedded helper assembli
- 8.8 High severity
pgAdmin 4: Untrusted Search Path
pgAdmin 4 runs pg_dump, pg_restore, pg_dumpall and psql from the binary path a user sets in their preferences. In server mode the binary path was refused only when it lay under the per-user storage directory (STORAGE_DIR), not under a SHARED_STORAGE directory,
- 8.4 High severity
Yamaha LAN Monitor for Windows: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The installer for Yamaha LAN Monitor for Windows provided by Yamaha Corporation may insecurely load Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs). When the installer is launched in a directory containing a specially crafted DLL file, the malicious DLL may be loaded, resulting
- 9.8 Critical severity
GnuPG: Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions
GnuPG (version 2.5.21) for Windows contains a vulnerability where default Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) inheritance on the C:\ProgramData directory allows members of the BUILTIN\Users group to create arbitrary subdirectories under this path. An atta
- 7.3 High severity
Creative Cloud Desktop Application: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Creative Cloud Desktop is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Expl
- 8.5 High severity
HP One Agent Software: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in HP One Agent for certain HP PC products, which might allow for escalation of privilege and/or arbitrary code execution. HP is releasing software updates to mitigate the potential vulnerability.
- 7.8 High severity
KeyShot: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Luxion KeyShot BIP File Parsing Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Luxion KeyShot. User interaction is required to exploit this
- 8.5 High severity
Armoury Crate: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
An uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in ASUS Armoury Crate allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges via replacement of a dynamic-link library (DLL) that is later loaded by a high-privilege process. Refer to the ' Securit
- 7.8 High severity
Application Store: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Dell Application Store, versions prior to 26.05.0.7, contains an Uncontrolled Path Element vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to an Elevation of Privilege and arbitrary code executio
- 6.7 Medium severity
Siemens Software Center Uncontrolled Search Path Element Exploited
A vulnerability has been identified in Siemens Software Center (All versions < V4.0.9.8). The affected application loads dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) from an uncontrolled search path. This could allow an authenticated local attacker to place a specially craft
- 9.9 Critical severity
hestiacp: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command
Hestia Control Panel is a lightweight and powerful control panel for the modern web. From version 1.9.7 through 1.10.4, update_object_value() in func/main.sh does not escape single quotes when writing a custom document-root value to a user's web.conf file, all
- 8.6 High severity
Adobe Dimension: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Dimension is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A local attacker with user permissions could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Expl
- 7.8 High severity
ImageMagick: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
ImageMagick on Windows through 7.1.2-33 and 6.9.13-58 contains an uncontrolled search path vulnerability in NTGhostscriptEXE() that launches gswin64c.exe by bare name when Ghostscript is unregistered. Attackers can plant a malicious gswin64c.exe in the working
- 7.8 High severity
TightVNC: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
An uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in GlavSoft TightVNC Server for Windows before 2.8.88 allows a local authenticated user to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. DynamicLibrary::init() (and ThemeLib) load screenhooks32.dll / screenhoo
- 8.6 High severity
Chrome: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Uncontrolled search path element in CredentialProvider in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a local program. (Chromium security severity: Low)
- 8.4 High severity
Mitel MiVoice Office 400: External Control of File Name or Path
DigitalCanion has discovered a vulnerability that allows an attacker to cause the system to load an attacker-controlled .so file instead of the expected legitimate module. The loading mechanism relies on a predictable module name without adequately verifying t
- 7.8 High severity
GeForce: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the CUDA driver where an attacker could cause a library to be loaded from an uncontrolled search path. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, escalation of priv
- 7.8 High severity
Insight Agent: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
An uncontrolled search path element in InsightVM assessment content in Rapid7 Insight Agent on Windows allows a local, low-privileged user to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM via a planted executable resolved from the machine PATH. Assessment content at or bel
- 7.8 High severity
Concert: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
IBM Concert 1.0.0 through 3.0.0 invokes operating system commands without fully qualifying executable paths or adequately restricting search path resolution. As a result, an attacker with local system access can manipulate the search path environment to execut
- 7.8 High severity
Foxit PDF Editor: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the updater of Foxit PDF Editor/Reader due to unsafe loading of dynamic-link libraries from a user-writable directory during high-privilege operations. A local attacker could exploit this issue to execute co
- 7.8 High severity
netdata: Improper Privilege Management
Netdata is an open source observability tool. From rom 2.0.0 until 2.10.4, during Netdata Windows Agent MSI repair, powershell.exe runs as SYSTEM without -NoProfile and loads %USERPROFILE%\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1 from the l
- 8.8 High severity
devicetype-library: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
NetBox Device Type Library is a collection of community-sourced device type definitions for import into NetBox. The absence of tests/init.py and the lack of --import-mode=importlib cause pytest prepend import mode to place the tests directory at the front of s
- 8.2 High severity
Driver Pack For Windows OS: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Dell Server Update Utility, versions prior to 26.07.01, contains an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Code execution.
- 7.8 High severity
GV-Remote E-map: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
A DLL hijacking vulnerability exists in the GeoVision GV-Remote E-Map desktop application. The application loads one or more dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) from an unsafe search path, allowing a local attacker to place a malicious DLL in a location searched bef
- 7.8 High severity
PDF Architect: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
pdfforge PDF Architect activation-service Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of pdfforge PDF Architect. An attacke
- 8.4 High severity
The installer for Rakuten Kobo Desktop…: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The installer for Rakuten Kobo Desktop Application (Windows version) insecurely loads Dynamic Link Libraries. If there is a crafted DLL at the same directory when invoking the affected installer, arbitrary code may be executed with the privileges of the user w
- 8.1 High severity
Chrome: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Uncontrolled search path element in CredentialProvider in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a local attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a local program. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
- 8.6 High severity
Photoshop 2026: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Photoshop Desktop is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of this is