CVE-2026-26329: Openclaw Path Traversal Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2026-26329 is a HIGH path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Openclaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves openclaw has a path traversal in browser upload allows local file read. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.14.
CVE-2026-26329 at a Glance
How to Fix CVE-2026-26329
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.
npm install openclaw@2026.2.14Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls openclawHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-26329, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls openclawAnalyze 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 2026.2.14), 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-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where 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. 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
CVE-2026-26329 Affected Openclaw Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
openclaw
|
npm |
< 2026.2.14
|
2026.2.14
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-26329?
Which Openclaw versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-26329?
Is openclaw affected?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-26329?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-26329?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-cv7m-c9jx-vg7q",
"modified" : "2026-02-20T16:45:47Z",
"published" : "2026-02-18T00:46:49Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-26329" ],
"summary" : "OpenClaw has a path traversal in browser upload allows local file read",
"details" : "## Summary\n\nAuthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files from the Gateway host by supplying absolute paths or path traversal sequences to the browser tool's `upload` action. The server passed these paths to Playwright's `setInputFiles()` APIs without restricting them to a safe root.\n\nSeverity remains **High** due to the impact (arbitrary local file read on the Gateway host), even though exploitation requires authenticated access.\n\n## Exploitability / Preconditions\n\nThis is not a \"drive-by\" issue.\n\nAn attacker must:\n\n- Reach the Gateway HTTP surface (or otherwise invoke the same browser control hook endpoints).\n- Present valid Gateway auth (bearer token / password), as required by the Gateway configuration.\n - In common default setups, the Gateway binds to loopback and the onboarding wizard generates a gateway token even for loopback.\n- Have the `browser` tool permitted by tool policy for the target session/context (and have browser support enabled).\n\nIf an operator exposes the Gateway beyond loopback (LAN/tailnet/custom bind, reverse proxy, tunnels, etc.), the impact increases accordingly.\n\n## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Vulnerable: `< 2026.2.14` (includes latest published `2026.2.13`)\n- Patched: `>= 2026.2.14` (planned next release)\n\n## Details\n\n**Entry points**:\n\n- `POST /tools/invoke` with `{\"tool\":\"browser\",\"action\":\"upload\",...}`\n- `POST /hooks/file-chooser` (browser control hook)\n\nWhen the upload paths are not validated, Playwright reads the referenced files from the local filesystem and attaches them to a page-level `<input type=\"file\">`. Contents can then be exfiltrated by page JavaScript (e.g. via `FileReader`) or via agent/browser snapshots.\n\nImpact: arbitrary local file read on the Gateway host (confidentiality impact).\n\n## Fix\n\nUpload paths are now confined to OpenClaw's temp uploads root (`DEFAULT_UPLOAD_DIR`) and traversal/escape paths are rejected.\n\nThis fix was implemented internally; the reporter provided a clear reproduction and impact analysis.\n\nFix commit(s):\n\n- 3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87\n\nThanks @p80n-sec for reporting.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "openclaw"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2026.2.14"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-cv7m-c9jx-vg7q"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-26329"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.14"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-02-18T00:46:49Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-02-20T00:16:15Z"
}
}