OpenClaw hook transform path containment missed symlink-resolved escapes
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
## Vulnerability Webhook transform modules were validated with lexical path checks only. A symlink under the allowed hooks transform tree could resolve outside the intended directory and be dynamically imported. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `<= 2026.2.21-2` - Patched version (planned next release): `2026.2.22` ## Impact When an attacker can cause a transform module path to reference a symlinked entry that resolves outside the trusted transform directory, the gateway may import and execute unintended JavaScript with gateway-process privileges. ## Attack Preconditions - Hook transforms are enabled and reachable. - Attacker can influence transform path resolution (for example via privileged config access and/or writable filesystem path in the transform tree). - A symlink escape exists to attacker-controlled code. ## Remediation - Enforce realpath-aware containment for existing path ancestors before dynamic import. - Keep lexical containment checks for traversal and absolute-path escapes. - Add regression coverage for: - transform module symlink escape rejection, - `hooks.transformsDir` symlink escape rejection, - in-root symlink allow-case. ## Fix Commit(s) - `f4dd0577b055f77af783105bd65eae32f3d5e6a1` OpenClaw thanks @aether-ai-agent for reporting.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | openclaw (npm) | before 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 | Patch available | GHSA-659f-22xc-98f2 |
- openclaw (npm) Vendor— Affected before 2026.2.22 Fixed in 2026.2.22 Patch available GHSA-659f-22xc-98f2
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-659f-22xc-98f2 openclaw (npm) Fixed in 2026.2.22 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-659f-22xc-98f2
References
Sources
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