On Windows, if Git LFS operates on a malicious repository with a `..exe` file as well as a file named `git.exe`, and `git.exe` is not found in `PATH`, the `..exe` program will be executed, permitting the attacker to execute arbitrary code. This does not affect Unix systems. Similarly, if the malicious repository contains files named `..exe` and `cygpath.exe`, and `cygpath.exe` is not found in `PATH`, the `..exe` program will be executed when certain Git LFS commands are run. More generally, if the current working directory contains any file with a base name of `.` and a file extension from `PATHEXT` (except `.bat` and `.cmd`), and also contains another file with the same base name as a program Git LFS intends to execute (such as `git`, `cygpath`, or `uname`) and any file extension from `PATHEXT` (including `.bat` and `.cmd`), then, on Windows, when Git LFS attempts to execute the intended program the `..exe`, `..com`, etc., file will be executed instead, but only if the intended program is not found in any directory listed in `PATH`. The vulnerability occurs because when Git LFS detects that the program it intends to run does not exist in any directory listed in `PATH` then Git LFS passes an empty string as the executable file path to the Go `os/exec` package, which contains a bug such that, on Windows, it prepends the name of the current working directory (i.e., `.`) to the empty string without adding a path separator, and as a result searches in that directory for a file with the base name `.` combined with any file extension from `PATHEXT`, executing the first one it finds. (The reason `..bat` and `..cmd` files are not executed in the same manner is that, although the Go `os/exec` package tries to execute them just as it does a `..exe` file, the Microsoft Win32 API `CreateProcess()` family of functions have an undocumented feature in that they apparently recognize when a caller is attempting to execute a batch script file and instead run the `cmd.exe` command interpreter, passing the full set of command line arguments as parameters. These are unchanged from the command line arguments set by Git LFS, and as such, the intended program's name is the first, resulting in a command line like `cmd.exe /c git`, which then fails.) Git LFS has resolved this vulnerability by always reporting an error when a program is not found in any directory listed in `PATH` rather than passing an empty string to the Go `os/exec` package in this case. The bug in the Go `os/exec` package has been reported to the Go project and is expected to be patched after this security advisory is published. The problem was introduced in version 2.12.1 and is patched in version 3.1.3. Users of affected versions should upgrade to version 3.1.3. There are currently no known workarounds at this time.

The agent in Bomgar Remote Support 15.2.x before 15.2.3, 16.1.x before 16.1.5, and 16.2.x before 16.2.4 allows DLL hijacking because of weak %SYSTEMDRIVE%\ProgramData permissions.

mDNSResponder.exe is vulnerable to DLL Sideloading attack. Executable improperly specifies how to load the DLL, from which folder and under what conditions. In these scenarios, a malicious attacker could be using the valid and legitimate executable to load malicious files.

Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers prior to version 6.14.053 contain a DLL preloading vulnerability, wherein it is possible for the installer to load a malicious DLL located in the current working directory of the installer.

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.

A vulnerability was found in Viscosity 1.6.7. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the component DLL Handler. The manipulation leads to untrusted search path. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 1.6.8 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of PhishWall Client Internet Explorer version Ver. 3.7.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Setup file of advance preparation for e-Tax software (WEB version) (1.17.1) and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Self-extracting archive files created by 7-ZIP32.DLL 9.22.00.01 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.

A untrusted search path in Fortinet FortiClientWindows versions 7.4.0, versions 7.2.4 through 7.2.0, versions 7.0.12 through 7.0.0 allows an attacker to run arbitrary code via DLL hijacking and social engineering.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.343 and 19.x through 21.x before 21.0.0.213 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.616 on Linux allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse resource in an unspecified directory.

Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 mishandle DLL loading, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "DLL Loading Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

GalaxyClient version 2.0.28.9 loads unsigned DLLs such as zlib1.dll, libgcc_s_dw2-1.dll and libwinpthread-1.dll from PATH, which allows an attacker to potentially run code locally through unsigned DLL loading.

When Octopus Tentacle is installed using a custom folder location, folder ACLs are not set correctly and could lead to an unprivileged user using DLL side-loading to gain privileged access.

The OpenSSL component of the Teradici PCoIP Standard Agent prior to version 21.07.0 was compiled without the no-autoload-config option, which allowed an attacker to elevate to the privileges of the running process via placing a specially crafted dll in a build configuration directory.

When Octopus Server is installed using a custom folder location, folder ACLs are not set correctly and could lead to an unprivileged user using DLL side-loading to gain privileged access.

Microsoft SharePoint Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Trend Micro Endpoint Sensor 1.6 before b1290 has a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, aka Trend Micro Vulnerability Identifier 2015-0208.

PraisonAI is a multi-agent teams system. Prior to 4.5.128, PraisonAI automatically loads a file named tools.py from the current working directory to discover and register custom agent tools. This loading process uses importlib.util.spec_from_file_location and immediately executes module-level code via spec.loader.exec_module() without explicit user consent, validation, or sandboxing. The tools.py file is loaded implicitly, even when it is not referenced in configuration files or explicitly requested by the user. As a result, merely placing a file named tools.py in the working directory is sufficient to trigger code execution. This behavior violates the expected security boundary between user-controlled project files (e.g., YAML configurations) and executable code, as untrusted content in the working directory is treated as trusted and executed automatically. If an attacker can place a malicious tools.py file into a directory where a user or automated system (e.g., CI/CD pipeline) runs praisonai, arbitrary code execution occurs immediately upon startup, before any agent logic begins. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.5.128.

The application's installer runs with elevated privileges but resolves system executables and DLLs using untrusted search paths that can include user-writable directories, allowing a local attacker to place malicious binaries with the same names and have them loaded or executed instead of the legitimate system files, resulting in local privilege escalation.

WiX toolset lets developers create installers for Windows Installer, the Windows installation engine. The .be TEMP folder is vulnerable to DLL redirection attacks that allow the attacker to escalate privileges. This impacts any installer built with the WiX installer framework. This issue has been patched in version 4.0.4.

ScreenToGif is a screen recording tool. In versions from 2.42.1 and prior, ScreenToGif is vulnerable to DLL sideloading via version.dll . When the portable executable is run from a user-writable directory, it loads version.dll from the application directory instead of the Windows System32 directory, allowing arbitrary code execution in the user's context. This is especially impactful because ScreenToGif is primarily distributed as a portable application intended to be run from user-writable locations. At time of publication, there are no publicly available patches.

Trend Micro Security (Consumer) 2020 (v16.0.1221 and below) is affected by a DLL hijacking vulnerability that could allow an attacker to use a specific service as an execution and/or persistence mechanism which could execute a malicious program each time the service is started.

GitPython is a python library used to interact with Git repositories. There is an incomplete fix for CVE-2023-40590. On Windows, GitPython uses an untrusted search path if it uses a shell to run `git`, as well as when it runs `bash.exe` to interpret hooks. If either of those features are used on Windows, a malicious `git.exe` or `bash.exe` may be run from an untrusted repository. This issue has been patched in version 3.1.41.

Lightroom Desktop versions 7.1.2 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 programs, then an attacker could modify that search path to point to a malicious program, which the targeted application would then execute. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Untrusted search path in Windows GDI allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.

Yandex Telemost for Desktop before 2.7.0 has a DLL Hijacking Vulnerability because an untrusted search path is used.

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 Options setting. On Windows, this allows execution of a malicious notepad.exe placed in the application's installation directory, leading to arbitrary code execution.

A maliciously crafted DLL file, when placed in the same directory as an RVT file could be loaded by Autodesk Revit, and execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process due to an untrusted search patch being utilized.

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.

Untrusted search path vulnerability in Explzh 5.67 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the current working directory.

Adobe ColdFusion 2016 update 15 and earlier versions, and ColdFusion 2018 update 9 and earlier versions have a dll search-order hijacking vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation.

Adobe ColdFusion 2016 update 15 and earlier versions, and ColdFusion 2018 update 9 and earlier versions have a dll search-order hijacking vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation.

A DLL search path vulnerability was reported in Lenovo Drivers Management prior to version 2.7.1128.1046 that could allow an authenticated user to execute code with elevated privileges.

Untrusted Search Path vulnerability in the windows installer of Google Earth Pro versions prior to 7.3.3 allows an attacker to insert malicious local files to execute unauthenticated remote code on the targeted system.

An untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of PDFescape Desktop version 4.0.22 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges and execute code via DLL hijacking.

A CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path vulnerability exists in ZigBee Installation Kit (Versions prior to 1.0.1), which could cause execution of malicious code when a malicious file is put in the search path.

An untrusted search path vulnerability in testinitsigs.exe as used in Bitdefender Antivirus Free 2020 allows a low-privilege attacker to execute code as SYSTEM via a specially crafted DLL file.

An improper signature validation vulnerability in Autodesk Dynamo BIM versions 2.5.1 and 2.5.0 may lead to code execution through maliciously crafted DLL files.

A CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path vulnerability exists in Vijeo Designer Basic (V1.1 HotFix 15 and prior) and Vijeo Designer (V6.9 SP9 and prior), which could cause arbitrary code execution on the system running Vijeo Basic when a malicious DLL library is loaded by the Product.

DLL Side Loading vulnerability in the installer for McAfee Application and Change Control (MACC) prior to 8.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via execution from a compromised folder.

DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in the installer component of McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention System (Host IPS) for Windows prior to 8.0.0 Patch 15 Update allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code via execution from a compromised folder.

A DLL Hijacking vulnerability in Eaton's 9000x Programming and Configuration Software v 2.0.38 and prior allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by replacing the required DLLs with malicious DLLs when the software try to load vci11un6.DLL and cinpl.DLL.

NVIDIA GeForce Experience, all versions prior to 3.20.5.70, contains a vulnerability in NVIDIA Web Helper NodeJS Web Server in which an uncontrolled search path is used to load a node module, which may lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, and information disclosure.

IBM DB2 Accessories Suite for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 could allow a local authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by DLL search order hijacking vulnerability in Microsoft Windows client. By placing a specially crafted file in a compromised folder, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 188149.

SonicWall Global VPN client version 4.10.4.0314 and earlier allows unprivileged windows user to elevate privileges to SYSTEM through loaded process hijacking vulnerability.

The file editing functionality in the Atlassian Companion App before version 1.0.0 allows local attackers to have the app run a different executable in place of the app's cmd.exe via a untrusted search path vulnerability.

ColdFusion versions ColdFusion 2016, and ColdFusion 2018 have a dll search-order hijacking vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation.

The SECOMN service in Sound Research DCHU model software component modules (APO) through 2.0.9.17, delivered on HP Windows 10 computers, may allow escalation of privilege via a fake DLL. (As a resolution, Windows Update is being submitted for all affected products to update to 2.0.9.18 or later.)