CVE-2026-32016
OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Path Traversal via Basename-Only Allowlist Matching on macOS
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Path Traversal via Basename-Only Allowlist Matching on macOS
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.
- Record
CVE-2026-32016- CVSS 4.0
- 7.3 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-13281
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.
- Record
EUVD-2026-13281- CVSS 4.0
- 7.3 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
OpenClaw: macOS optional allowlist basename matching could bypass path-based policy
Summary
On macOS node-host, optional exec-approval allowlist mode previously treated basename-only entries (for example echo) as trusted command matches.
This could allow a same-name local binary (for example ./echo) to run without approval under security=allowlist + ask=on-miss.
Scope / Preconditions
- macOS node-host path.
- Optional exec approvals feature enabled with
security=allowlist. - Basename-only allowlist entries configured.
Default install posture is not impacted: security=deny by default.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Latest published npm version at triage time:
2026.2.21-2 - Vulnerable range:
<=2026.2.21-2 - Planned patched version (next release):
>= 2026.2.22
Remediation
- Enforced path-only allowlist matching on macOS node-host (basename fallback removed).
- Added migration for legacy basename allowlist entries to last-resolved paths when available.
- UI/store validation now rejects non-path allowlist patterns.
Fix Commit(s)
- dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd
Release Process Note
Patched version is pre-set for the planned next release (2026.2.22). Once that npm release is out, advisory can be published without further field edits.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
- Record
GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p- CVSS 4.0
- 5.1 Medium
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-426, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.
- Record
CVE-2026-32016- CVSS 4.0
- 7.3 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Path Traversal via Basename-Only Allowlist Matching on macOS
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.
- Record
CVE-2026-32016- CVSS 4.0
- 7.3 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
OpenClaw: macOS optional allowlist basename matching could bypass path-based policy
Summary
On macOS node-host, optional exec-approval allowlist mode previously treated basename-only entries (for example echo) as trusted command matches.
This could allow a same-name local binary (for example ./echo) to run without approval under security=allowlist + ask=on-miss.
Scope / Preconditions
- macOS node-host path.
- Optional exec approvals feature enabled with
security=allowlist. - Basename-only allowlist entries configured.
Default install posture is not impacted: security=deny by default.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Latest published npm version at triage time:
2026.2.21-2 - Vulnerable range:
<=2026.2.21-2 - Planned patched version (next release):
>= 2026.2.22
Remediation
- Enforced path-only allowlist matching on macOS node-host (basename fallback removed).
- Added migration for legacy basename allowlist entries to last-resolved paths when available.
- UI/store validation now rejects non-path allowlist patterns.
Fix Commit(s)
- dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd
Release Process Note
Patched version is pre-set for the planned next release (2026.2.22). Once that npm release is out, advisory can be published without further field edits.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
- Record
GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p- CVSS 4.0
- 5.1 Medium
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-426, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openclawnpm |
before 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2026-32016 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.3) in Openclaw, published March 3, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.13%, the 2nd percentile. Fixed in openclaw 2026.2.22.
References
github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-via-basename-only-allowlist-matching-on-macos
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32016