CVE-2026-32055
Received Received - Intake
Path Traversal in OpenClaw Workspace Allows Arbitrary File Write

Publication date: 2026-03-21

Last updated on: 2026-03-23

Assigner: VulnCheck

Description
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.26 contain a path traversal vulnerability in workspace boundary validation that allows attackers to write files outside the workspace through in-workspace symlinks pointing to non-existent out-of-root targets. The vulnerability exists because the boundary check improperly resolves aliases, permitting the first write operation to escape the workspace boundary and create files in arbitrary locations.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-03-21
Last Modified
2026-03-23
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-03-21
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-32055
EUVD
EUVD-2026-13956
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
openclaw openclaw to 2026.2.26 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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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.
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Executive Summary

CVE-2026-32055 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.26. It occurs because the software improperly validates workspace boundaries when handling symbolic links (symlinks) inside the workspace. Specifically, if a symlink inside the workspace points to a non-existent target outside the workspace root, the boundary check fails to detect this escape. This allows an attacker to write files outside the intended workspace boundary by exploiting the first write operation through such symlinks.

The root cause is that the boundary validation resolves path aliases incorrectly, permitting the first write to escape the workspace and create files arbitrarily anywhere on the filesystem. This flaw enables unauthorized file writes outside the designated workspace, potentially leading to further exploitation.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability allows an attacker with low privileges and no user interaction to write files outside the intended workspace boundary on the filesystem. Because the attack vector is network-based and has low complexity, it can be exploited remotely with relative ease.

The impact includes unauthorized file creation anywhere on the filesystem, which can compromise system integrity by allowing malicious files to be placed outside the sandbox. Confidentiality and availability impacts are limited but still present, while integrity impact is high.

Compliance Impact

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Detection Guidance

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the CVE-2026-32055 vulnerability, immediately upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.2.26 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched.

The patch strengthens workspace boundary validation by preventing path traversal via symlinks pointing outside the workspace, including non-existent targets.

  • Update OpenClaw to version 2026.2.26 or newer.
  • Ensure that your workspace does not contain symlinks pointing to locations outside the workspace root.
  • Review and apply the security patches described in the GitHub Security Advisory and related commits (e.g., commit 46eba86b45e9db05b7b792e914c4fe0de1b40a23 and 1aef45bc060b28a0af45a67dc66acd36aef763c9) if you maintain a custom build.
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