OpenClaw's avatar symlink traversal can expose out-of-workspace local files
Summary
OpenClaw avatar handling allowed a symlink traversal path that could expose local files outside an agent workspace through gateway avatar surfaces.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
<= 2026.2.21, plus prereleases2026.2.21-1and2026.2.21-2 - Latest published version at triage time (2026-02-22):
2026.2.21-2(affected) - Planned patched version (pre-set for release workflow):
2026.2.22
Details
In vulnerable builds, local avatar resolution could follow symlinks and return file bytes from outside the configured workspace boundary.
The issue was hardened in two paths:
- Gateway avatar metadata resolution now enforces canonical containment,
O_NOFOLLOW, and fd/file-identity checks. - Control UI avatar serving now rejects symlink paths and enforces fd/file-identity and size checks before reads.
Fix Commit(s)
3d0337504349954237d09e4d957df5cb844d5e776970c2c2db3ee069ef0fff0ade5cfbdd0134f9d2
Release Process Note
patched_versions is pre-set to >= 2026.2.22 so after npm release, the remaining action is to publish this advisory.
Impact
Confidentiality impact only: local files readable by the OpenClaw process could be disclosed via avatar response surfaces.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rx3g-mvc3-qfjf
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32024
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/3d0337504349954237d09e4d957df5cb844d5e77
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/6970c2c2db3ee069ef0fff0ade5cfbdd0134f9d2
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-symlink-traversal-in-avatar-handling
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22, CWE-59- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 03.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-rx3g-mvc3-qfjf - 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's avatar symlink traversal can expose out-of-workspace local files this entry
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