CVE-2026-26329: Openclaw Path Traversal Vulnerability

{
  "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"
  }
}