CVE-2026-27523 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2026
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.24 contain a sandbox bind validation vulnerability allowing attackers to bypass allowed-root and blocked-path checks via symlinked parent directories with non-existent leaf paths. Attackers can craft bind source paths that appear within allowed roots but resolve outside sandbox boundaries once missing leaf components are created, weakening bind-source isolation enforcement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-27523 affects OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.24 and represents a critical sandbox validation flaw that undermines fundamental security boundaries. This issue resides in the bind mount validation mechanism that is designed to enforce strict isolation between sandboxed environments and host system resources. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient validation approach that fails to properly resolve symbolic links and account for the complete path resolution process when checking allowed-root and blocked-path restrictions.
The technical flaw manifests when attackers construct bind source paths that utilize symbolic links pointing to parent directories with non-existent leaf components. This particular attack vector exploits the gap between path validation and actual path resolution by creating a scenario where the initial validation check passes because the symbolic link appears to reside within an allowed root directory. However, once the missing leaf components are created or the symbolic links are resolved, the actual target path can reference locations outside the intended sandbox boundaries. This creates a condition where the system's security controls are bypassed through path manipulation techniques that exploit the timing and resolution differences in the validation process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive system resources, bypass file system restrictions, and potentially gain unauthorized access to data that should remain isolated within the sandboxed environment. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where OpenClaw is used for containerization, virtualization, or any security-sensitive applications that rely on bind mount isolation. This weakness can enable attackers to traverse sandbox boundaries and access host system files, directories, or resources that are normally protected by the sandboxing mechanism, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments and cloud deployments.
The security implications align with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal in Bind Mounts, which specifically address the vulnerabilities in path validation and resolution within containerization and virtualization technologies. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing as it can be exploited through crafted symbolic link manipulation to bypass security controls. Organizations using OpenClaw should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 2026.2.24 or later, implementing additional path validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation patterns. The recommended approach involves strengthening the bind mount validation logic to ensure complete path resolution occurs before access control decisions are made, and implementing more robust checking of symbolic link targets to prevent the exploitation of path traversal vulnerabilities through symlink manipulation.