OpenClaw's Control UI Static File Handler Follows Symlinks and Allows Out-of-Root File Read
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.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 |
References
- 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.
- 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
-
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