CVE-2026-28486: Openclaw Path Traversal Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2026-28486 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.1) 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 vulnerable to path traversal (zip slip) in archive extraction during explicit installation commands. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.14.
CVE-2026-28486 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 6.1
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L).
How to Fix CVE-2026-28486
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-2026-28486, 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-2026-28486 Affected Openclaw Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
openclaw
|
npm |
≥ 2026.1.16-2
< 2026.2.14
|
2026.2.14
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-28486?
Which Openclaw versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-28486?
Is openclaw affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-28486?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-28486?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-28486?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-v892-hwpg-jwqp",
"modified" : "2026-03-06T01:05:42Z",
"published" : "2026-03-02T23:23:03Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-28486" ],
"summary" : "OpenClaw vulnerable to path traversal (Zip Slip) in archive extraction during explicit installation commands",
"details" : "## Summary\n\nA path traversal (Zip Slip) issue in archive extraction during explicit installation commands could allow a crafted archive to write files outside the intended extraction directory.\n\n## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected versions: `>=2026.1.16-2 <2026.2.14`\n- Fixed version: `2026.2.14`\n\n## Affected Commands / Flows\n\nThis only affects users who run installation commands against an untrusted archive (local file or download URL), for example:\n\n- `openclaw skills install` (download+extract installers)\n- `openclaw hooks install` (archive installs)\n- `openclaw plugins install` (archive installs)\n- `openclaw signal install` (signal-cli asset extraction)\n\nIt is not triggered by receiving messages or normal gateway operation.\n\n## Impact\n\nArbitrary file write as the current user. In the worst case this can be used for persistence or code execution if an attacker can convince a user to install a crafted archive.\n\n## Fix\n\n- Fix commit: `3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87`\n- Released in: `2026.2.14`\n\n## Credits\n\nOpenClaw thanks @markmusson for reporting.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/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" : "2026.1.16-2"
}, {
"fixed" : "2026.2.14"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-v892-hwpg-jwqp"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28486"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-zip-slip-in-archive-extraction-via-installation-commands"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-02T23:23:03Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-05T22:16:23Z"
}
}