OpenClaw has Zip Slip path traversal in tar archive extraction
Summary
OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.14 did not sufficiently validate TAR archive entry paths during extraction. A crafted archive could use path traversal sequences (for example ../../...) to write files outside the intended destination directory (Zip Slip).
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected:
< 2026.2.14 - Fixed:
>= 2026.2.14
Details
The affected code path is extractArchive() in src/infra/archive.ts. Prior to 2026.2.14, TAR extraction used tar.x({ cwd: destDir }) without rejecting traversal and absolute entry paths.
This extraction is used by installation flows such as:
openclaw plugins install …openclaw hooks install …
Impact
If a user installs an untrusted .tar / .tgz archive, an attacker can write files outside the extraction directory (within the permissions of the OpenClaw process). This can lead to configuration tampering and potentially code execution.
Mitigation
Upgrade to openclaw >= 2026.2.14. Avoid installing untrusted plugin/hook archives.
Fix Commit(s)
3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87
OpenClaw thanks @xuemian168 for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.14 | 2026.2.14 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-p25h-9q54-ffvw
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28453
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-zip-slip-path-traversal-in-tar-archive-extraction
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 02.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-p25h-9q54-ffvw - 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 has Zip Slip path traversal in tar archive extraction this entry
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