OpenClaw: Sandbox media fallback tmp symlink alias bypass allows host file reads outside sandboxRoot
Summary
A sandbox path validation bypass in openclaw allows host file reads outside sandboxRoot via the media path fallback tmp flow when the fallback tmp root is a symlink alias.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
npm openclaw - Affected versions:
<= 2026.2.24 - Latest published npm version at triage time (February 26, 2026):
2026.2.24 - Patched version :
2026.2.25
Details
When /tmp/openclaw is unavailable or unsafe, resolvePreferredOpenClawTmpDir() in src/infra/tmp-openclaw-dir.ts fell back to os.tmpdir()/openclaw-<uid> without verifying that fallback path was a trusted non-symlink directory.
resolveSandboxedMediaSource() (src/agents/sandbox-paths.ts) allows absolute tmp media paths under the OpenClaw tmp root using lexical containment and alias checks. If the fallback tmp root is a symlink alias (for example to /), inputs like $TMPDIR/openclaw-<uid>/etc/passwd can pass validation and resolve to host files outside sandboxRoot.
Impact
This can break sandbox media path confinement and permit unauthorized host file reads (confidentiality impact).
Reproduction (high level)
- Force resolver fallback (make
/tmp/openclawunavailable/invalid). - Make fallback root (
$TMPDIR/openclaw-<uid>) a symlink alias to/. - Submit media path under fallback root (for example
$TMPDIR/openclaw-<uid>/etc/passwd). - Observe accepted path and read outside
sandboxRoot.
Fix Commit(s)
496a76c03ba85e15ea715e5a583e498ae04d36e3
Release Process Note
Patched version is pre-set to release 2026.2.25; once npm publish for 2026.2.25 is complete, this advisory can be published without further metadata edits.
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:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA: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-xmv6-r34m-62p4 - 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: Sandbox media fallback tmp symlink alias bypass allows host file reads outside sandboxRoot this entry
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