GHSA-5ghc-98wh-gwwf
OpenClaw's Control UI Static File Handler Follows Symlinks and Allows Out-of-Root File Read
Packages
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
### Summary
The Control UI static file handler previously validated asset paths lexically and then served files with APIs that follow symbolic links. A symlink placed under the Control UI root could cause out-of-root file reads.
### Affected Packages / Versions
- Package: `openclaw` (npm)
- Latest published version observed: `2026.2.21-2`
- Affected versions: `<=2026.2.21-2`
- Planned fixed release version: `2026.2.22`
### Technical Details
The vulnerable flow was in `src/gateway/control-ui.ts`, where `path.join(...)` + string-prefix checks were followed by file reads that resolved symlinks. This allowed directory-confinement bypasses when symlinks existed inside the Control UI root.
The fix now enforces realpath containment and verifies file identity before serving Control UI assets and SPA fallback `index.html`.
### Impact
- Vulnerability type: path traversal / external file exposure via symlink following.
- Primary impact: confidentiality (out-of-root file read).
- Severity guidance: low in supported trusted-operator deployments; can be higher in unsupported shared-writable setups.
### Fix Commit(s)
- `7c500ff6236fa087ec1ec88696ca9f6881e90dc5`
### Release Process Note
`patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). After npm release is available, publish the advisory.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.