Low

OpenClaw's Control UI Static File Handler Follows Symlinks and Allows Out-of-Root File Read

  • Disclosed: 02.03.2026
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 10:22

Summary

The Control UI static file handler previously validated asset paths lexically and then served files with APIs that follow symbolic links. A symlink placed under the Control UI root could cause out-of-root file reads.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Latest published version observed: 2026.2.21-2
  • Affected versions: <=2026.2.21-2
  • Planned fixed release version: 2026.2.22

Technical Details

The vulnerable flow was in src/gateway/control-ui.ts, where path.join(...) + string-prefix checks were followed by file reads that resolved symlinks. This allowed directory-confinement bypasses when symlinks existed inside the Control UI root.

The fix now enforces realpath containment and verifies file identity before serving Control UI assets and SPA fallback index.html.

Impact

  • Vulnerability type: path traversal / external file exposure via symlink following.
  • Primary impact: confidentiality (out-of-root file read).
  • Severity guidance: low in supported trusted-operator deployments; can be higher in unsupported shared-writable setups.

Fix Commit(s)

  • 7c500ff6236fa087ec1ec88696ca9f6881e90dc5

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.22). After npm release is available, publish the advisory.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed in
npm package openclaw < 2026.2.22 2026.2.22

References

CVSS score 3.3/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/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-5ghc-98wh-gwwf - 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.

All (588) in the archive
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

  1. 2026: 588
Severity:
  1. OpenClaw's Control UI Static File Handler Follows Symlinks and Allows Out-of-Root File Read this entry
    Low · 3.3 CVE-2026-32020 < 2026.2.22 2026.2.22
  2. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-53811 < 2026.5.7 2026.5.7
  3. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-53806 < 2026.5.12 2026.5.12
  4. High · 7.8 CVE-2026-53813 < 2026.4.25 2026.4.25
  5. High · 7.5 CVE-2026-53834 < 2026.4.27 2026.4.27
  6. Critical CVE-2026-34507 < 2026.4.29 2026.4.29
  7. High CVE-2026-53823 < 2026.5.3 2026.5.3
  8. High · 8.4 CVE-2026-53814 < 2026.5.20 2026.5.20
  9. High · 6.5 CVE-2026-53815 < 2026.5.19 2026.5.19
  10. High · 8.1 CVE-2026-53849 < 2026.5.7 2026.5.7
  11. High · 8.1 CVE-2026-53857 < 2026.5.3 2026.5.3
  12. High · 8.1 CVE-2026-53866 < 2026.5.12 2026.5.12
  13. High · 8.1 CVE-2026-53864 < 2026.5.26 2026.5.26
  14. Critical · 9.8 CVE-2026-44109 < 2026.4.15 2026.4.15
  15. Critical · 8.1 CVE-2026-43585 < 2026.4.15 2026.4.15
  16. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-43530 >= 2026.2.23, < 2026.4.12 2026.4.12
  17. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-42434 >= 2026.4.5, < 2026.4.10 2026.4.10
  18. High · 7.5 CVE-2026-42437 >= 2026.4.9, < 2026.4.10 2026.4.10
  19. High CVE-2026-41393 < 2026.3.31 2026.3.31
  20. Critical · 8.2 CVE-2026-41296 < 2026.3.31 2026.3.31
  21. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-41352 < 2026.3.31 2026.3.31
  22. High · 7.8 CVE-2026-41396 < 2026.3.31 2026.3.31
  23. High · 8.6 CVE-2026-35641 < 2026.3.24 2026.3.24
  24. High · 7.5 CVE-2026-35650 < 2026.3.22 2026.3.22
  25. High · 7.5 CVE-2026-32846 < 2026.03.28 2026.03.28
  26. High · 8.8 CVE-2026-33573 < 2026.3.11 2026.3.11
  27. Critical · 9.9 CVE-2026-22172 < 2026.3.12 2026.3.12
Show more (20) Showing 121 of 236

Know which vulnerabilities affect your application

With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.

Connect your application
DockRay newsletter

Application security in your inbox

Important vulnerabilities, actionable guidance and practical advice for your applications. Choose your technologies and follow what matters to your project.

  • A daily digest of new vulnerabilities, critical ones included.
  • Notifications about important updates.
  • Practical advice on application security and monitoring.

Leave empty to receive updates for every technology.

Free to subscribe. Unsubscribe with one click in any email.