Openclaw
CVE-2026-28482
HIGH
GHSA-5xfq-5mr7-426q
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticate to OpenClaw agent
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ExploitCraft malicious sessionId with path traversal sequences
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ExecutionSubmit request with ../../etc/passwd payload
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ImpactRead arbitrary files outside sessions directory
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 2026.2.12 with authenticated user access to agent API endpoints accepting sessionId or sessionFile parameters without path sanitization or directory containment validation. |
| Impact | CVSS 7.1 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitation requires authentication. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker (requires authentication) could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.12 suffer from a path traversal vulnerability in transcript file handling that allows authenticated local users to read and modify arbitrary files on the system by injecting directory traversal sequences into sessionId or sessionFile parameters. An attacker with local access can exploit this to access sensitive files outside the intended agent sessions directory without additional privileges. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.12 construct transcript file paths using unsanitized sessionId parameters and sessionFile paths without enforcing directory containment. [CVSS 7.1 HIGH]
RemediationAI
Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists.
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 the sessionId or sessionFile component of OpenClaw. OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.12 construct transcript file paths using unsanitized sessionId parameters and sessionFile paths without enforcing directory containment. Authenticated attackers can exploit path traversal sequences like ../../etc/passwd in sessionId or sessionFile parameters to read or write arbitrary files outside the agent sessions directory.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.12 construct transcript file paths using unsanitized sessionId parameters and sessionFile paths without enforcing directory containment. Authenticated attackers can exploit path traversal sequences like ../../etc/passwd in sessionId or sessionFile parameters to read or write arbitrary files outside the agent sessions directory.
Executive ViewAI
OpenClaw installations are vulnerable to path traversal attacks that could allow unauthorized users to read or manipulate transcript files outside their intended directories. Without available patches, organizations running affected versions face immediate risk of data exposure and potential system compromise until upgrades are deployed.
Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts (e.g., patterns containing '../', '..\', or encoded variants) in sessionId and sessionFile parameters. Apply strict network segmentation to limit OpenClaw access to authorized users and systems only. Disable transcript generation and storage features if operationally feasible. Enforce file system permissions to restrict OpenClaw process access to designated directories. Monitor file access logs for suspicious transcript file operations. Require MFA for OpenClaw administrative access.
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
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