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OpenClaw: workspace path guard bypass on non-existent out-of-root symlink leaf

High severity GitHub Reviewed Published Feb 26, 2026 in openclaw/openclaw • Updated Mar 12, 2026

Package

npm openclaw (npm)

Affected versions

<= 2026.2.25

Patched versions

2026.2.26

Description

Summary

openclaw had a workspace boundary bypass in workspace-only path validation: when an in-workspace symlink pointed outside the workspace to a non-existent leaf, the first write could pass validation and create the file outside the workspace.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Vulnerable versions: <= 2026.2.25
  • Patched versions: >= 2026.2.26 (pre-set for next planned release)
  • Latest published npm version at update time: 2026.2.25

Details

The boundary check path resolved aliases in a way that allowed a non-existent out-of-root symlink target to pass the initial validation window. A first write through the guarded workspace path could therefore escape the workspace boundary.

The fix hardens canonical boundary resolution so missing-leaf alias paths are evaluated against canonical containment, while preserving valid in-root aliases. This closes the first-write escape condition without regressing valid in-root alias usage.

Fix Commit(s)

  • 46eba86b45e9db05b7b792e914c4fe0de1b40a23
  • 1aef45bc060b28a0af45a67dc66acd36aef763c9

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.26). Once npm release 2026.2.26 is published, this advisory can be published directly.

Thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

References

@steipete steipete published to openclaw/openclaw Feb 26, 2026
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database Mar 12, 2026
Reviewed Mar 12, 2026
Last updated Mar 12, 2026

Severity

High

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
High
Availability
Low

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L

EPSS score

Weaknesses

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. Learn more on MITRE.

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. Learn more on MITRE.

CVE ID

No known CVE

GHSA ID

GHSA-mgrq-9f93-wpp5

Source code

Credits

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