OpenClaw has a path traversal in browser trace/download output paths may allow arbitrary file writes
Summary
OpenClaw’s browser control API accepted user-supplied output paths for trace/download files without consistently constraining writes to OpenClaw-managed temporary directories.
Impact
If an attacker can access the browser control API, they could attempt to write trace/download output files outside intended temp roots, depending on process filesystem permissions.
Affected versions
openclaw < 2026.2.13
Fixed versions
openclaw >= 2026.2.13
Remediation
Upgrade to 2026.2.13 or later.
What changed
The fix constrains output paths for:
POST /trace/stopPOST /wait/downloadPOST /download
All three now enforce OpenClaw temp-root boundaries and reject traversal/escape paths.
Credits
Thanks to Adnan Jakati (@jackhax) of Praetorian for responsible disclosure.
Fix shipped in PR #15652 and merged to main on February 13, 2026 (7f0489e4731c8d965d78d6eac4a60312e46a9426).
Fix commit 7f0489e4731c8d965d78d6eac4a60312e46a9426 confirmed on main and in v2026.2.14. Upgrade to openclaw >= 2026.2.13.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.13 | 2026.2.13 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-gq9c-wg68-gwj2
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28462
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/15652
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/7f0489e4731c8d965d78d6eac4a60312e46a9426
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-in-trace-and-download-output-paths
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 18.02.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-gq9c-wg68-gwj2 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openclaw
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 589
- First → latest
- 02.2026 10.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 20
- High 215
- Medium 300
- Low 54
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 589
-
OpenClaw has a path traversal in browser trace/download output paths may allow arbitrary file writes this entry
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