CVE-2026-27522 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2026
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.24 contain a local media root bypass vulnerability in sendAttachment and setGroupIcon message actions when sandboxRoot is unset. Attackers can hydrate media from local absolute paths to read arbitrary host files accessible by the runtime user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-27522 affects OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.24 and represents a critical local privilege escalation vector through improper input validation in media handling functions. This flaw specifically manifests in the sendAttachment and setGroupIcon message actions where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths when the sandboxRoot parameter remains unset. The absence of proper path validation creates an exploitable condition that allows attackers to bypass intended security boundaries and access arbitrary files on the host system. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to enforce proper file system access controls when processing media attachments, effectively creating a path traversal scenario that can be leveraged for unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's handling of absolute file paths without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. When sandboxRoot is not explicitly configured, the system operates in a permissive mode that allows absolute paths to be processed directly without additional security checks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious media attachment requests that specify absolute paths to sensitive files on the host system. The runtime user context determines the scope of accessible files, meaning that if the application runs with elevated privileges, attackers may gain access to system-critical resources. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, both of which address improper input validation in file system operations. The attack vector follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as the exploitation likely involves JavaScript-based message handling within the application framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable broader system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can read files that are normally restricted to the application's runtime user, including configuration files, credential stores, or system logs that might contain sensitive information. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple message actions indicates a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident, suggesting that similar patterns may exist in other parts of the application's media handling codebase. This creates a sustained risk for systems running affected versions, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until the application is properly updated or the sandboxRoot parameter is explicitly configured. The lack of proper input validation in these core message processing functions means that any user with access to the application's message handling interface could potentially leverage this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-27522 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper application updates to version 2026.2.24 or later. Organizations should ensure that all instances of OpenClaw are updated to the patched version that includes proper path validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should explicitly configure the sandboxRoot parameter to enforce proper file system boundaries and prevent absolute path processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable message handling interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns or attempts to process absolute paths through media handling functions. The implementation of input validation controls, including proper path normalization and restriction of file access to predefined directories, should be enforced through both application-level and system-level security measures. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may exhibit similar patterns of improper input validation in file system operations.