Openclaw
CVE-2026-28462
HIGH
GHSA-gq9c-wg68-gwj2
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAccess OpenClaw API endpoints
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ExploitCraft POST request with path traversal payload
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ExecutionWrite malicious file outside temp directory
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ImpactAccess sensitive data
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 2026.2.13 with API access enabled. Attacker must reach POST /trace/stop, POST /wait/download, or POST /download endpoints without authentication constraints in default deployment. |
| 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 versions before 2026.2.13 suffer from a path traversal vulnerability in the browser control API that allows authenticated attackers to write arbitrary files outside designated temporary directories via the trace and download endpoints. An attacker with API access can exploit this to place malicious files in unintended locations on the system. A patch is available to address this high-severity flaw.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.13 contain a vulnerability in the browser control API in which it accepts user-supplied output paths for trace and download files without consistently constraining writes to temporary directories. [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 2026.2.13 contain a vulnerability in the browser control API in which it accepts user-supplied output paths for trace and download files without consistently constraining writes to temporary directories. Attackers with API access can exploit path traversal in POST /trace/stop, POST /wait/download, and POST /download endpoints to write files outside intended temp roots.
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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 2026.2.13 contain a vulnerability in the browser control API in which it accepts user-supplied output paths for trace and download files without consistently constraining writes to temporary directories. Attackers with API access can exploit path traversal in POST /trace/stop, POST /wait/download, and POST /download endpoints to write files outside intended temp roots.
Executive ViewAI
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.13 contain a path traversal vulnerability that could allow attackers to write files outside intended directories, potentially compromising system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to prevent unauthorized file access and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure.
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
View all 46Privilege escalation in OpenClaw (pre-2026.3.28) allows unauthenticated remote attackers to gain administrative access b
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
Path traversal in OpenClaw through version 2026.3.23 enables unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files in
Authentication bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.5.3 allows remote attackers with low privileges to receive agent responses
Directory-context bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.8.1 allows authenticated attackers with user interaction to reuse an 'a
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