CVE-2026-62189 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
OpenClaw versions before 2026.6.9 contain a symlink following vulnerability in the mirror sync feature that allows lower-trust callers to perform actions requiring stronger authorization. Attackers can exploit remote symlink parents to bypass policy checks and authorization boundaries when the feature is enabled and reachable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The OpenClaw software presents a critical security vulnerability within its mirror synchronization functionality that stems from improper handling of symbolic links during file operations. This flaw exists in versions prior to 2026.6.9 and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with insufficient access control mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes symbolic links without adequate validation of the link targets, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the filesystem through carefully crafted symlink operations that can traverse directory boundaries.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how the mirror sync feature resolves symbolic links during synchronization processes. When processing file hierarchies, the system follows symlinks without performing proper authorization checks against the actual target paths, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit this behavior to gain elevated privileges or access restricted resources. This issue directly maps to CWE-367 which describes Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerabilities and CWE-284 which covers improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to bypass authorization boundaries entirely when the mirror sync feature is enabled and accessible over the network. Remote exploitation becomes possible through symlink parent traversal techniques that allow adversaries to manipulate file operations from lower-trust contexts to higher-privilege locations. This creates a scenario where unauthenticated or low-privileged users can effectively circumvent security policies designed to protect sensitive directories and files within the system.
Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can construct malicious symlink chains that, when processed by the mirror sync feature, cause the system to perform operations against unintended targets while maintaining the appearance of legitimate administrative actions. The threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through improper access control and T1566 which encompasses social engineering attacks that can be amplified through such path traversal vulnerabilities.
Security mitigations should focus on implementing strict symlink validation within the mirror sync feature, ensuring that all symbolic links are properly resolved against authorized paths before any file operations occur. The system must enforce authorization checks at each level of the filesystem hierarchy regardless of whether the current operation involves symbolic links or direct paths. Additionally, administrators should disable the mirror sync feature when not actively required, and implement network segmentation to limit access to components that process user-supplied symbolic link information. Input validation controls should be strengthened to reject potentially malicious symlink patterns before they can be processed by the synchronization engine.