OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations
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
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
### Summary In certain workspace-restricted configurations, OpenClaw could follow hardlink aliases inside the workspace that reference files outside the workspace boundary. By default, `tools.fs.workspaceOnly` is off. This primarily affects deployments that intentionally enable workspace-only filesystem restrictions (and workspace-only `apply_patch` checks). ### Impact - Confidentiality: out-of-workspace files could be read through in-workspace hardlink aliases. - Integrity: out-of-workspace files could be modified through in-workspace hardlink aliases. ### Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Latest published version at triage time: `2026.2.24` - Affected range: `<= 2026.2.24` - Planned patched version: `2026.2.25` ### Fix Commit(s) - `04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e` (main) ### Remediation OpenClaw now rejects hardlinked final-file aliases during workspace boundary validation for: - workspace-only path checks (`read` / `write` / `edit`) - workspace-only `apply_patch` read/write paths - sandbox mount-root path-safety checks Regression tests were added for `apply_patch`, workspace fs tools, and sandbox fs bridge hardlink alias escapes. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey 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 2026.2.25 | 2026.2.25 | Patch available | GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 |
- openclaw (npm) Vendor— Affected before 2026.2.25 Fixed in 2026.2.25 Patch available GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 openclaw (npm) Fixed in 2026.2.25 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496
References
Sources
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