OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations
Summary
In certain workspace-restricted configurations, OpenClaw could follow hardlink aliases inside the workspace that reference files outside the workspace boundary.
By default, tools.fs.workspaceOnly is off. This primarily affects deployments that intentionally enable workspace-only filesystem restrictions (and workspace-only apply_patch checks).
Impact
- Confidentiality: out-of-workspace files could be read through in-workspace hardlink aliases.
- Integrity: out-of-workspace files could be modified through in-workspace hardlink aliases.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Latest published version at triage time:
2026.2.24 - Affected range:
<= 2026.2.24 - Planned patched version:
2026.2.25
Fix Commit(s)
04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e(main)
Remediation
OpenClaw now rejects hardlinked final-file aliases during workspace boundary validation for:
- workspace-only path checks (
read/write/edit) - workspace-only
apply_patchread/write paths - sandbox mount-root path-safety checks
Regression tests were added for apply_patch, workspace fs tools, and sandbox fs bridge hardlink alias escapes.
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 | < 2026.2.25 | 2026.2.25 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-59, CWE-668- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 04.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 - 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
- 588
- First → latest
- 02.2026 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 20
- High 215
- Medium 299
- Low 54
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 588
-
OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations this entry
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