OpenClaw has a path traversal in apply_patch could write/delete files outside the workspace
## Summary In affected versions, when `apply_patch` was enabled and the agent ran without filesystem sandbox containment, crafted paths could cause file writes/deletes outside the configured workspace directory. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected: `<= 2026.2.13` - Fixed: `>= 2026.2.14` ## Details The non-sandbox path resolution in `apply_patch` did not enforce workspace containment. Inputs like `../../...` or absolute paths could escape the working directory in non-sandboxed mode. ## Impact Practical impact depends on deployment and who can trigger tool execution. This is most relevant when tool invocation is exposed to less-trusted callers or when operators expected workspace-only containment. ## Workarounds - Keep `tools.exec.applyPatch.enabled` disabled if you do not need `apply_patch`. - Keep `tools.exec.applyPatch.workspaceOnly` at its secure default of `true`. - Restrict who can trigger tool execution (and which tools are allowlisted). ## Configuration Note `tools.exec.applyPatch.workspaceOnly: false` intentionally opts out of workspace containment and can re-enable outside-workspace writes/deletes. ## Fix - PR: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/16405 - Merge commit: `5544646a09c0121fca7d7093812dc2de8437c7f1` ## Credits Thanks to @p80n-sec for reporting this issue.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-32060US | — | — | ||
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 contain a path traversal vulnerability in apply_patch that allows attackers to write or delete files outside the configured workspace directory… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclawPACKAGE
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/5544646a09c0121fca7d7093812dc2de8437c7f1WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/16405WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.14WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-r5fq-947m-xm57WEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32060ADVISORY
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-in-apply-patch-via-crafted-pathsWEB
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