CVE-2026-32016: OpenClaw MacOS Optional Allowlist Basename Matching Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
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CVSS 7.8
CWE-426 CWE-863
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-32016 is a MODERATE (CVSS 7.8) macos optional allowlist basename matching vulnerability (CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path) affecting OpenClaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves macos optional allowlist basename matching could bypass path-based policy. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.22.

CVE-2026-32016 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-32016
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.8
CWE Classification CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path
Affected Product OpenClaw
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2026-32016

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected OpenClaw dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

openclaw fixed: 2026.2.22 
npm install openclaw@2026.2.22
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls openclaw

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-32016, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls openclaw

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of OpenClaw in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2026.2.22), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls openclaw command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path, where the product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control. In OpenClaw, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Summary On macOS node-host, optional exec-approval allowlist mode previously treated basename-only entries (for example `echo`) as trusted command matches. This could allow a same-name local binary (for example `./echo`) to run without approval under `security=allowlist` + `ask=on-miss`. ### Scope / Preconditions - macOS node-host path. - Optional exec approvals feature enabled with `security=allowlist`. - Basename-only allowlist entries configured. Default install posture is not impacted: `security=deny` by default. ### Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Latest published npm version at triage time: `2026.2.21-2` - Vulnerable range: `<=2026.2.21-2` - Planned patched version (next release): `>= 2026.2.22` ### Remediation - Enforced path-only allowlist matching on macOS node-host (basename fallback removed). - Added migration for legacy basename allowlist entries to last-resolved paths when available. - UI/store validation now rejects non-path allowlist patterns. ### Fix Commit(s) - dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd ### Release Process Note Patched version is pre-set for the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). Once that npm release is out, advisory can be published without further field edits. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

CVE-2026-32016 Affected OpenClaw Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2026.2.22
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
openclaw
npm/openclaw
npm
< 2026.2.22
2026.2.22

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
NVD — CVE-2026-32016 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32016
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd
OpenClaw Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw... WEB
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-via-basename-only-allowlist-matching-on-macos

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-32016?
CVE-2026-32016 is a security vulnerability in OpenClaw involving macOS optional allowlist basename matching could bypass path-based policy under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path.
Which OpenClaw versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2026.2.22 across affected packages: openclaw.
What version fixes CVE-2026-32016?
Upgrading to 2026.2.22 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is openclaw affected?
Yes, openclaw is affected in releases prior to 2026.2.22. Upgrade your dependency to 2026.2.22 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-32016?
CVE-2026-32016 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-32016?
CVE-2026-32016 is classified under CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path (The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-32016?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls openclaw'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p",
  "modified" : "2026-03-30T13:46:20Z",
  "published" : "2026-03-03T00:41:20Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-32016" ],
  "summary" : "OpenClaw: macOS optional allowlist basename matching could bypass path-based policy",
  "details" : "### Summary\nOn macOS node-host, optional exec-approval allowlist mode previously treated basename-only entries (for example `echo`) as trusted command matches.\nThis could allow a same-name local binary (for example `./echo`) to run without approval under `security=allowlist` + `ask=on-miss`.\n\n### Scope / Preconditions\n- macOS node-host path.\n- Optional exec approvals feature enabled with `security=allowlist`.\n- Basename-only allowlist entries configured.\n\nDefault install posture is not impacted: `security=deny` by default.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Latest published npm version at triage time: `2026.2.21-2`\n- Vulnerable range: `<=2026.2.21-2`\n- Planned patched version (next release): `>= 2026.2.22`\n\n### Remediation\n- Enforced path-only allowlist matching on macOS node-host (basename fallback removed).\n- Added migration for legacy basename allowlist entries to last-resolved paths when available.\n- UI/store validation now rejects non-path allowlist patterns.\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd\n\n### Release Process Note\nPatched version is pre-set for the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). Once that npm release is out, advisory can be published without further field edits.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "openclaw"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2026.2.22"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32016"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-via-basename-only-allowlist-matching-on-macos"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-426", "CWE-863" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-03T00:41:20Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-19T22:16:35Z"
  }
}