NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability where an uncontrolled search path element may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, which may lead to code execution, denial of service, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, or data tampering.

A DLL hijacking vulnerability in AMD μProf could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.

An uncontrolled search path element vulnerability (DLL hijacking) has been discovered that could allow a locally authenticated adversary to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. Alternatively, they could host a trojanized version of the software and trick victims into downloading and installing their malicious version to gain initial access and code execution.

Insecure Loading of Dynamic Link Libraries have been discovered in USB-CONVERTERCABLE DRIVER, which could allow local attackers to potentially disclose information or execute arbitray code on affected systems. This issue affects USB-CONVERTERCABLE DRIVER:.

PowerPath for Windows, versions 7.0, 7.1 & 7.2 contains DLL Hijacking Vulnerabilities. A regular user (non-admin) can exploit these issues to potentially escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) oneAPI Toolkit and component software installers before version 4.3.1.493 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Snap Deploy (Windows) before build 4569.

In AFL++ 4.05c, the CmpLog component uses the current working directory to resolve and execute unprefixed fuzzing targets, allowing code execution.

Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Pro and Standard edition software for linux may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

A vulnerability in the preloading mechanism of specific dynamic link libraries in McAfee Agent for Windows prior to 5.7.3 could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack with unsigned DLLs. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the Windows system. This would result in the user gaining elevated permissions and being able to execute arbitrary code.

Insecure folder permissions in the Windows installation path of Shibboleth Service Provider (SP) before 3.4.1 allow an unprivileged local attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM via DLL planting in the service executable's folder. This occurs because the installation goes under C:\opt (rather than C:\Program Files) by default. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this report, stating that "We consider the ACLs a best effort thing" and "it was a documentation mistake."

Git for Windows is the Windows port of the revision control system Git. Prior to Git for Windows version 2.39.2, by carefully crafting DLL and putting into a subdirectory of a specific name living next to the Git for Windows installer, Windows can be tricked into side-loading said DLL. This potentially allows users with local write access to place malicious payloads in a location where automated upgrades might run the Git for Windows installer with elevation. Version 2.39.2 contains a patch for this issue. Some workarounds are available. Never leave untrusted files in the Downloads folder or its sub-folders before executing the Git for Windows installer, or move the installer into a different directory before executing it.

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. In versions 8.8.1 and prior, a privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Notepad++ v8.8.1 installer that allows unprivileged users to gain SYSTEM-level privileges through insecure executable search paths. An attacker could use social engineering or clickjacking to trick users into downloading both the legitimate installer and a malicious executable to the same directory (typically Downloads folder - which is known as Vulnerable directory). Upon running the installer, the attack executes automatically with SYSTEM privileges. This issue has been fixed and will be released in version 8.8.2.

Unquoted search path in the software installer for the System Firmware Update Utility (SysFwUpdt) for some Intel(R) Server Boards and Intel(R) Server Systems Based on Intel(R) 621A Chipset before version 16.0.7 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Uncontrolled search path element for some ITE Tech consumer infrared drivers before version 5.5.2.1 for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

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 uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.

Famatech Advanced IP Scanner Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Famatech Advanced IP Scanner. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the application's use of Qt. The application loads Qt plugins from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of an administrator. Was ZDI-CAN-20768.

Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Pathfinder for RISC-V software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

An Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427) vulnerability in SmartControl version 4.3.15 and versions released before April 15, 2020 may allow an authenticated user to escalate privileges by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path. This issue was fixed in version 1.0.7, which was released after April 15, 2020. (Note, the version numbering system changed significantly between version 4.3.15 and version 1.0.7.)

An issue was discovered in Acuant AcuFill SDK before 10.22.02.03. It is used to install drivers from several different vendors. The Gemalto Document Reader child installation process is vulnerable to DLL hijacking, because it attempts to execute (with elevated privileges) multiple non-existent DLLs out of a non-existent standard-user writable location.

An issue was discovered in Acuant AcuFill SDK before 10.22.02.03. It is installed with insecure permissions (full write access within Program Files). Standard users can replace files within this directory that get executed with elevated privileges, leading to a complete arbitrary code execution (elevation of privileges).

Local privilege escalation due to DLL hijacking vulnerability. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (Windows) before build 40107.

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Lite Edition Design software before version 23.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

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 the system path. A local, non-privileged user who can write to the folder containing clip_share.exe can place malicious DLLs there, leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the server, and, if launched by an Administrator (or another elevated user), it results in a reliable local privilege escalation. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.8.5.

A vulnerability in the ISE Posture (System Scan) module of Cisco Secure Client for Linux could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to the use of an uncontrolled search path element. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by copying a malicious library file to a specific directory in the filesystem and persuading an administrator to restart a specific process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected device with root privileges.

A vulnerability in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (SM) Agent for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.  This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of directory search paths at runtime. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing both malicious configuration files and malicious DLL files on an affected system, which would read and execute the files when Cisco Meraki SM launches on startup. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with SYSTEM privileges. 

Uncontrolled search path in the Intel(R) oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler for Windows and Intel Fortran Compiler for Windows before version 2022.2.1 for some Intel(R) oneAPI Toolkits before version 2022.3.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) QAT drivers for Windows before version 1.6 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime Pro and Standard Edition software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Uncontrolled search path in the installer software for some Intel(r) NUC Kit Wireless Adapter drivers for Windows 10 before version 22.40 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Poetry is a dependency manager for Python. To handle dependencies that come from a Git repository, Poetry executes various commands, e.g. `git config`. These commands are being executed using the executable’s name and not its absolute path. This can lead to the execution of untrusted code due to the way Windows resolves executable names to paths. Unlike Linux-based operating systems, Windows searches for the executable in the current directory first and looks in the paths that are defined in the `PATH` environment variable afterward. This vulnerability can lead to Arbitrary Code Execution, which would lead to the takeover of the system. If a developer is exploited, the attacker could steal credentials or persist their access. If the exploit happens on a server, the attackers could use their access to attack other internal systems. Since this vulnerability requires a fair amount of user interaction, it is not as dangerous as a remotely exploitable one. However, it still puts developers at risk when dealing with untrusted files in a way they think is safe. The victim could also not protect themself by vetting any Git or Poetry config files that might be present in the directory, because the behavior is undocumented. Versions 1.1.9 and 1.2.0b1 contain patches for this issue.

A vulnerability has been identified in TIA Multiuser Server V14 (All versions), TIA Multiuser Server V15 (All versions < V15.1 Update 8), TIA Project-Server (All versions < V1.1), TIA Project-Server V16 (All versions), TIA Project-Server V17 (All versions < V17 Update 6). Affected applications contain an untrusted search path vulnerability that could allow an attacker to escalate privileges, when tricking a legitimate user to start the service from an attacker controlled path.

InstallBuilder Qt installers built with versions previous to 22.10 try to load DLLs from the installer binary parent directory when displaying popups. This may allow an attacker to plant a malicious DLL in the installer parent directory to allow executing code with the privileges of the installer (when the popup triggers the loading of the library). Exploiting these type of vulnerabilities generally require that an attacker has access to a vulnerable machine to plant the malicious DLL.

A DLL hijacking vulnerability in the installed for Quick Heal Total Security prior to 12.1.1.27 allows a local attacker to achieve privilege escalation, leading to execution of arbitrary code, via the installer not restricting the search path for required DLLs and then not verifying the signature of the DLLs it tries to load.

NVIDIA GeForce Experience contains an uncontrolled search path vulnerability in all its client installers, where an attacker with user level privileges may cause the installer to load an arbitrary DLL when the installer is launched. A successful exploit of this vulnerability could lead to escalation of privileges and code execution.

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-privileged local user can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user or process loading openssl-feedstock DLLs. Miniforge before 24.5.0 is also affected.

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\Microsoft\WindowsApps\, an attacker can execute arbitrary code every time BleachBit is run. This issue has been patched in version 4.9.0.

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.

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 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x versions prior to 13.1.5, and all versions of 12.1.x and 11.6.x, as well as F5 BIG-IP APM Clients 7.x versions prior to 7.2.1.5, a DLL Hijacking vulnerability exists in the BIG-IP Edge Client Windows Installer. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated

Git for Windows is a fork of Git that contains Windows-specific patches. This vulnerability in versions prior to 2.37.1 lets Git for Windows' installer execute a binary into `C:\mingw64\bin\git.exe` by mistake. This only happens upon a fresh install, not when upgrading Git for Windows. A patch is included in version 2.37.1. Two workarounds are available. Create the `C:\mingw64` folder and remove read/write access from this folder, or disallow arbitrary authenticated users to create folders in `C:\`.

Windows 32-bit versions of the Zoom Client for Meetings before 5.12.6 and Zoom Rooms for Conference Room before version 5.12.6 are susceptible to a DLL injection vulnerability. A local low-privileged user could exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code in the context of the Zoom client.

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 interaction in that a victim must run the uninstaller with Admin privileges.

Trend Micro HouseCall for Home Networks version 5.3.1302 and below contains an uncontrolled search patch element vulnerability that could allow an attacker with low user privileges to create a malicious DLL that could lead to escalated privileges.

Uncontrolled search path element in Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

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`), which may allow users to create configuration files affecting other users. Only shared Windows systems with multiple users and unprotected `%PROGRAMDATA%` are affected. Users should upgrade to Jupyter Core version 5.8.0 or later to receive a patch. Some other mitigations are available. As administrator, modify the permissions on the `%PROGRAMDATA%` directory so it is not writable by unauthorized users; or as administrator, create the `%PROGRAMDATA%\jupyter` directory with appropriately restrictive permissions; or as user or administrator, set the `%PROGRAMDATA%` environment variable to a directory with appropriately restrictive permissions (e.g. controlled by administrators _or_ the current user).

Improper access control in Visual Studio allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

The Windows installer for PostgreSQL 9.5 - 12 invokes system-provided executables that do not have fully-qualified paths. Executables in the directory where the installer loads or the current working directory take precedence over the intended executables. An attacker having permission to add files into one of those directories can use this to execute arbitrary code with the installer's administrative rights.

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 attacker must have access to the system and sufficient file-write privileges. If exploited, the attacker could place a malicious DLL file on the system, that when running XINJE XD/E Series PLC Program Tool will allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of another user's account.

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 DLL into the uncontrolled search path. This vulnerability affects NI LabVIEW 2025 Q1 and prior versions.