Openclaw
CVE-2026-28453
HIGH
GHSA-p25h-9q54-ffvw
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessCraft malicious TAR archive with traversal sequences
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ExploitUpload archive to vulnerable OpenClaw instance
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ExecutionExtraction writes files outside intended directory
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ImpactAchieve configuration tampering or code execution
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 with TAR extraction functionality enabled. Attacker must be able to supply or trigger extraction of TAR archives through the application's file handling interface. |
| Impact | CVSS 7.5 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
OpenClaw before version 2026.2.14 fails to properly validate file paths when extracting TAR archives, enabling attackers to use path traversal sequences to write files outside the intended extraction directory. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this to overwrite configuration files or inject malicious code into the system. A patch is available for affected versions.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 fail to validate TAR archive entry paths during extraction, allowing path traversal sequences to write files outside the intended directory. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in npm
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-22 (Path Traversal). Affects Openclaw. OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 fail to validate TAR archive entry paths during extraction, allowing path traversal sequences to write files outside the intended directory. Attackers can craft malicious archives with traversal sequences like ../../ to write files outside extraction boundaries, potentially enabling configuration tampering and code execution.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 fail to validate TAR archive entry paths during extraction, allowing path traversal sequences to write files outside the intended directory. Attackers can craft malicious archives with traversal sequences like ../../ to write files outside extraction boundaries, potentially enabling configuration tampering and code execution.
Executive ViewAI
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 contain a path traversal vulnerability that could allow attackers to write files outside intended directories during TAR archive extraction, potentially compromising system integrity and enabling unauthorized code execution. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to prevent exploitation.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
Related Vulnerabilities in OpenClaw Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
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OpenClaw versions 2026.2.22 through 2026.2.24 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated att
An authorization mismatch vulnerability in OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.1 allows authenticated users with operator.
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.1.29 automatically establish WebSocket connections to attacker-controlled gateway URLs e
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Unauthenticated access to the noVNC observer interface in OpenClaw's Docker sandbox browser allows anyone who can reach
OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.26 allow authenticated attackers to write arbitrary files outside the workspace director
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain a shell environment variable injection vulnerability in the system.run func
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain a resource exhaustion vulnerability where the application fails to consiste
Exploit-DB