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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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High 7.8
notepad-plus-plus - DLL Hijacking
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High 7.5
The installer of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2022.2.2 was vulnerable to EXE search order hijacking
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High 8.8CVE-2022-2333 Public exploit
Honeywell SoftMaster Uncontrolled Search Path Element
If an attacker manages to trick a valid user into loading a malicious DLL, the attacker may be able to achieve code execution in Honeywell SoftMaster version 4.51 application’s context and permissions.
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Medium 6.2
DLL hijacking vulnerability in Smart Switch PC prior to version 4.3.22083_3 allows attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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High 7.8CVE-2022-36271 Public exploit
Outbyte PC Repair Installation File 1.7.112.7856 is vulnerable to Dll Hijacking. iertutil.dll is missing so an attacker…
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High 7.8
AutomationDirect C-more EA9 HMI Uncontrolled Search Path Element
AutomationDirect DirectLOGIC has a DLL vulnerability in the install directory that may allow an attacker to execute code during the installation process. This issue affects: AutomationDirect C-more EA9 EA9-T6CL versions prior to 6.73; EA9-T6CL-R versions prio…
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High 7.8
Uncontrolled search path in the installation binaries for Intel(R) SEAPI all versions may allow an authenticated user t…
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High 7.8
Uncontrolled search path in the Intel(R) Distribution for Python before version 2022.0.3 may allow an authenticated use…
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High 7.8
Uncontrolled search path elements in the Intel(R) Datacenter Group Event Android application, all versions, may allow a…
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High 7.8
Uncontrolled search path element in the Intel(R) Enpirion(R) Digital Power Configurator GUI software, all versions may …
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High 7.8
Uncontrolled search path elements in the Intel(R) VTune(TM) Profiler software before version 2022.2.0 may allow an auth…
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High 7.2
Softing Secure Integration Server Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The application searches for a library dll that is not found. If an attacker can place a dll with this name, then the attacker can leverage it to execute arbitrary code on the targeted Softing Secure Integration Server V1.22.
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High 7.8
Adobe Premiere Elements Uncontrolled Search Path Element Privilege Escalation
Adobe Premiere Elements version 2020v20 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element which could lead to Privilege Escalation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to obtain admin using an existing low-privileged user. Exploitatio…
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Medium 4.5
DLL hijacking vulnerability in Samsung Update Setup prior to version 2.2.9.50 allows attackers to execute arbitrary cod…
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High 7.3
AVEVA PCS Portal Uncontrolled Search Path Element
AVEVA Software Platform Common Services (PCS) Portal versions 4.5.2, 4.5.1, 4.5.0, and 4.4.6 are vulnerable to DLL hijacking through an uncontrolled search path element, which may allow an attacker control to one or more locations in the search path.
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Medium 5.5
Dell EMC PowerStore, Versions prior to v3.0.0.0 contain a DLL Hijacking vulnerability in PSTCLI. A local attacker can p…
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High 7.8
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Access 6.5.4 (3…
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High 7.8
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Access 6.5.4 (3…
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High 7.8
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Access 6.5.3 (3…
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Unscored —CVE-2022-32223 Public exploit
Node.js is vulnerable to Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Hijacking under certain conditions on Windows platforms.This vulner…
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High 7.8
Bypass of safe.directory protections in Git
Git is a distributed revision control system. Git prior to versions 2.37.1, 2.36.2, 2.35.4, 2.34.4, 2.33.4, 2.32.3, 2.31.4, and 2.30.5, is vulnerable to privilege escalation in all platforms. An unsuspecting user could still be affected by the issue reported …
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High 7.9
McAfee MCPR privilege escalation
An uncontrolled search path vulnerability in McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool prior to version 10.4.128 could allow a local attacker to perform a sideloading attack by using a specific file name. This could result in the user gaining elevated permissions …
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Medium 5.0
Python pgAdmin4 uncontrolled search path
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Python 2.7.13. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component pgAdmin4. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed t…
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High 7.8
Dell SupportAssist Client Consumer versions (3.11.0 and versions prior) and Dell SupportAssist Client Commercial versio…
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Medium 6.3
XAMPP Installer uncontrolled search path
A vulnerability was found in XAMPP 7.1.1-0-VC14. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the component Installer. The manipulation leads to privilege escalation. It is possible to launch the attack remotely.
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Unscored —
Local privilege escalation due to insecure folder permissions
Local privilege escalation due to insecure folder permissions. The following products are affected: Acronis Snap Deploy (Windows) before build 3640
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Unscored —
Local privilege escalation due to a DLL hijacking vulnerability
Local privilege escalation due to a DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Snap Deploy (Windows) before build 3640
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High 7.3
Uncontrolled search path in the Intel(R) XTU software before version 7.3.0.33 may allow an authenticated user to potent…
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Medium 6.7
Adobe Acrobat Uninstaller Hard Link Leads To Remote Code Execution
Acrobat Reader DC version 22.001.2011x (and earlier), 20.005.3033x (and earlier) and 17.012.3022x (and earlier) are affected by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could lead to local privilege escalation. Exploitation of this issue requires user i…
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Medium 6.7
Cortex XDR Agent: An Uncontrolled Search Path Element Leads to Local Privilege Escalation (PE) Vulnerability
A local privilege escalation (PE) vulnerability exists in Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent software on Windows that enables an authenticated local user with file creation privilege in the Windows root directory (such as C:\) to execute a program with eleva…
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High 7.3
XINJE XD/E Series PLC Program Tool DLL Hijacking
A vulnerability exists in XINJE XD/E Series PLC Program Tool in versions up to v3.5.1 that can allow an authenticated, local attacker to load a malicious DLL. Local access is required to successfully exploit this vulnerability. This means the potential attack…
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High 8.8
Local privilege escalation via a default path in Splunk Enterprise Windows
A misconfiguration in the node default path allows for local privilege escalation from a lower privileged user to the Splunk user in Splunk Enterprise versions before 8.1.1 on Windows.
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High 7.3
On F5 BIG-IP APM 16.1.x versions prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x versions prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x versions prior to 14.1.4.…
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Unscored —
SonicWall Global VPN Client 4.10.7.1117 installer (32-bit and 64-bit) and earlier versions have a DLL Search Order Hija…
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Medium 6.2
DLL hijacking vulnerability in Gear IconX PC Manager prior to version 2.1.220405.51 allows attacker to execute arbitrar…
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High 7.3
A DLL search path vulnerability was reported in Lenovo PCManager prior to version 4.0.40.2175 that could allow privileg…
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High 7.8
GitHub: Git for Windows' uninstaller vulnerable to DLL hijacking when run under the SYSTEM user account.
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Unscored —
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic (All versions < V7.3 Update 1), SIMATIC Energy Mana…
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Medium 6.0CVE-2022-24765 Public exploit
Uncontrolled search for the Git directory in Git for Windows
Git for Windows is a fork of Git containing Windows-specific patches. This vulnerability affects users working on multi-user machines, where untrusted parties have write access to the same hard disk. Those untrusted parties could create the folder `C:\.git`, …
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Medium 5.3
Uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in Samsung Android USB Driver windows installer program prior to version…