OpenClaw: Unsanitized CWD path injection into LLM prompts
## Overview OpenClaw embedded the current working directory (workspace path) into the agent system prompt without sanitization. If an attacker can cause OpenClaw to run inside a directory whose name contains control/format characters (for example newlines or Unicode bidi/zero-width markers), those characters could break the prompt structure and inject attacker-controlled instructions. ## Impact Prompt injection may alter agent behavior and could lead to unintended tool use or disclosure of sensitive information. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Vulnerable versions: `< 2026.2.15` (latest published vulnerable version as of 2026-02-16: `2026.2.14`) - Patched versions: `>= 2026.2.15` ## Fix The workspace path is now sanitized before it is embedded into any LLM prompt output, stripping Unicode control/format characters and explicit line/paragraph separators. Workspace path resolution also applies the same sanitization as defense-in-depth. ## Fix Commit(s) - `6254e96acf16e70ceccc8f9b2abecee44d606f79` Thanks @aether-ai-agent for reporting.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-27001US | high7.8 | — | ||
OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant. Prior to version 2026.2.15, OpenClaw embedded the current working directory (workspace path) into the agent system prompt without sanitization.… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclawPACKAGE
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/6254e96acf16e70ceccc8f9b2abecee44d606f79WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.15WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-2qj5-gwg2-xwc4WEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-27001ADVISORY
Advisories like this name the exposed products attackers go after on your perimeter. See what is exposed on your perimeter with a free passive scan.
Free scan