CVE-2026-27522
Local Media Root Bypass in OpenClaw Allows Arbitrary File Read
Publication date: 2026-03-18
Last updated on: 2026-03-18
Assigner: VulnCheck
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| openclaw | openclaw | to 2026.2.24 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-22 | The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized local file disclosure, meaning attackers can read arbitrary files on the host system accessible by the runtime user.
Such unauthorized access can expose sensitive information stored in files, potentially leading to information leakage.
The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with a CVSS v4 score of 7.1, indicating a significant risk if exploited.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
I don't know
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-27522 is a vulnerability in OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.24 that affects the sendAttachment and setGroupIcon message actions when the sandboxRoot configuration is unset.
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass local media root restrictions and hydrate media from local absolute file paths. Essentially, attackers can exploit improper pathname limitation (CWE-22) to perform path traversal, enabling them to read arbitrary files on the host system that are accessible by the runtime user.
The root cause is that the application does not properly restrict file paths, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended directories.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, you should upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.2.24 or later, where the issue has been fixed.
Ensure that the sandboxRoot configuration is properly set to enforce local media root checks and prevent unauthorized file access.