CVE-2026-32016 — openclaw
Fix: openclaw/openclaw@dd41fadCVE-2026-32016 is a CWE-426 vulnerability in openclaw. A fix is available for openclaw — see the affected versions and patch details below.
OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Path Traversal via Basename-Only Allowlist Matching on macOS
Exploitation Status
No confirmed exploitation observed yet
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
- CISA’s own triage has not observed active exploitation or public proof-of-concept code for this CVE as of its last assessment.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2026-32016.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Real-World Exposure
How broadly this vulnerability is actually deployed: weekly install volume shows current usage, and reverse-dependency count shows how many other packages break if it stays unpatched.
openclawnpmDescription
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.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📦npm | openclaw | all versions | 2026.2.22npm install openclaw@2026.2.22 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for openclaw, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update openclaw to 2026.2.22 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2026-32016 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 Security's impact-aware SCA analyses which vulnerable code paths your application actually calls, so a match like CVE-2026-32016 can be triaged on real exposure rather than presence alone.
Tailored to CVE-2026-32016. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-32016 in your dependencies?
O3 Security finds CVE-2026-32016 across npm dependencies, including transitive ones, and its impact-aware SCA ranks findings by whether your code actually calls the vulnerable path.