Weakness (CWE)
CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
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.
More detail
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 dependencies on third-party libraries or other packages, then consult a repository that contains the desired package. The framework may search a public repository before a private repository. This could be exploited by attackers by placing a malicious package in the public repository that has the same name as a package from the private repository. The search path might not be directly under control of the developer relying on the framework, but this search order effectively contains an untrusted element.
How to prevent it (5 mitigations)
-
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.
Source: MITRE CWE-427
952 results · Feed
-
High 7.3
ClipShare Server Allows Local Privilege Escalation via DLL Hijacking
ClipShare is a lightweight and cross-platform tool for clipboard sharing. Prior to 3.8.5, ClipShare Server for Windows uses the default Windows DLL search order and loads system libraries like CRYPTBASE.dll and WindowsCodecs.dll from its own directory before …
-
High 7.8
Action1 Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Action1 Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Action1. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code …
-
High 7.3
Jupyter Core on Windows Has Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Jupyter Core is a package for the core common functionality of Jupyter projects. When using Jupyter Core prior to version 5.8.0 on Windows, the shared `%PROGRAMDATA%` directory is searched for configuration files (`SYSTEM_CONFIG_PATH` and `SYSTEM_JUPYTER_PATH…
-
Medium 6.5
HCL Traveler for Microsoft Outlook (HTMO) is susceptible to COM hijacking
HCL Traveler for Microsoft Outlook (HTMO) is susceptible to a COM hijacking vulnerability which could allow an attacker to modify or replace the application with malicious content.
-
Medium 6.5
HCL Traveler for Microsoft Outlook (HTMO) is susceptible to DLL hijacking
HCL Traveler for Microsoft Outlook (HTMO) is susceptible to a DLL hijacking vulnerability which could allow an attacker to modify or replace the application with malicious content.
-
High 7.0
Wondershare Filmora Installer NFWCHK.exe uncontrolled search path
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 un…
-
High 7.0
Sangfor 零信任访问控制系统 aTrust MSASN1.dll uncontrolled search path
A vulnerability has been found in Sangfor 零信任访问控制系统 aTrust 2.3.10.60 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality in the library MSASN1.dll. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. Local access is required…
-
Medium 6.8CVE-2024-13946 Public exploit
Binary Planting / LoadLibrary DLL's not Signed
DLL's are not digitally signed when loaded in ASPECT's configuration toolset exposing the application to binary planting during device commissioning.This issue affects ASPECT-Enterprise: through 3.*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*.
-
High 7.0
Privilege Escalation and Arbitrary code execution in F1E Endpoint
Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in Forcepoint FIE Endpoint allows Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Hijacking a privileged process.This issue affects FIE Endpoint: before 25.05.
-
High 8.4
An issue in Blizzard Battle.net v2.40.0.15267 allows attackers to escalate privileges via placing a crafted shell scrip…
-
High 7.0
CBEWIN Anytxt Searcher ATService.exe uncontrolled 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 comple…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics Driver software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enab…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler software before version 2025.0.0 may allow an auth…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Arc™ & Iris(R) Xe graphics software before version 32.0.101.6083/32.0.10…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) QAT software before version 2.3.0 may allow an authenticated user to potenti…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) oneAPI Level Zero software may allow an authenticated user to potentially en…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable esca…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path element for some Intel(R) Network Adapter Driver installers for Windows 11 before version 29.4…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Advisor software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escal…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) RealSense™ SDK software before version 2.56.2 may allow an authenticated use…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path for some Intel(R) Graphics software for Intel(R) Arc™ graphics and Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe graphic…
-
Medium 6.7
Uncontrolled search path element for some Intel(R) Ethernet Connection software before version 29.4 may allow an authen…
-
High 7.8
Substance3D - Modeler | Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427)
Substance3D - Modeler versions 1.21.0 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. If the application relies on a search path to locate critical…
-
Medium 5.2
Privilege escalation in jar_signature
Privilege escalation in jar_signature agent plugin in Checkmk versions <2.4.0b7 (beta), <2.3.0p32, <2.2.0p42, and 2.1.0p49 (EOL) allow user with write access to JAVA_HOME/bin directory to escalate privileges.
-
High 7.3
conda-forge openssl-feedstock writable OPENSSLDIR
conda-forge openssl-feedstock before 066e83c (2024-05-20), on Microsoft Windows, configures OpenSSL to use an OPENSSLDIR file path that can be written to by non-privilged local users. By writing a specially crafted openssl.cnf file in OPENSSLDIR, a non-privil…
-
High 7.0
Hainan ToDesk DLL File Parser profapi.dll uncontrolled search path
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 la…
-
High 7.0
Shanghai Bairui Information Technology SunloginClient sunlogin_guard.exe uncontrolled 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 …
-
High 7.0
Discord WINSTA.dll uncontrolled 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 approa…
-
High 7.0
Patch My PC Home Updater System.IO uncontrolled 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.…
-
High 7.0
Mechrevo Control Console GCUService csCAPI.dll uncontrolled 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 co…
-
High 7.6
Ribbon Communications - CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
-
High 7.8
Bdrive NetDrive Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Bdrive NetDrive Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Bdrive NetDrive. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-…
-
High 7.8
Bdrive NetDrive Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Bdrive NetDrive Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Bdrive NetDrive. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-…
-
High 7.8
DPMAdirektPro 4.1.5 is vulnerable to DLL Hijacking. It happens by placing a malicious DLL in a directory (in the absenc…
-
High 7.0
Insecure Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) Load vulnerability
Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in OpenText Secure Content Manager on Windows allows DLL Side-Loading.This issue affects Secure Content Manager: 23.4. End-users can potentially exploit the vulnerability to execute malicious code in the trusted …
-
High 7.3
BleachBit for Windows Has DLL Untrusted Path Vulnerability
BleachBit cleans files to free disk space and to maintain privacy. BleachBit for Windows up to version 4.6.2 is vulnerable to a DLL Hijacking vulnerability. By placing a malicious DLL with the name uuid.dll in the folder C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Micr…
-
Medium 5.7
Microsoft Power Automate Desktop Information Disclosure Vulnerability
Uncontrolled search path element in Power Automate allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network.
-
High 7.3
Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Uncontrolled search path element in Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
-
High 7.3
DLL Hijacking Vulnerability in NI LabVIEW
There is a DLL hijacking vulnerability due to an uncontrolled search path that exists in NI LabVIEW. This vulnerability may result in arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to insert a malicious DLL into the uncontrolled search…
-
High 7.3
DLL Hijacking Vulnerability in NI LabVIEW When Loading NI Error Reporting
There is a DLL hijacking vulnerability due to an uncontrolled search path that exists in NI LabVIEW when loading NI Error Reporting. This vulnerability may result in arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to insert a malicious …