CVE-2026-28482

Description

OpenClaw versions <= 2026.2.9 construct transcript file paths using an unsanitized sessionId and also accept sessionFile paths without enforcing that they stay within the agent sessions directory.

A crafted sessionId and/or sessionFile (example: ../../etc/passwd) can cause path traversal when the gateway performs transcript file read/write operations.

Preconditions: an attacker must be able to authenticate to the gateway (gateway token/password). By default the gateway binds to loopback (local-only); configurations that expose the gateway widen the attack surface.

Affected Packages / Versions

• Package: openclaw (npm)
• Affected: <= 2026.2.9
• Fixed: >= 2026.2.12

Fix Commit(s)

• 4199f9889f0c307b77096a229b9e085b8d856c26

Additional Hardening

• cab0abf52ac91e12ea7a0cf04fff315cf0c94d64

Mitigation

Upgrade to openclaw >= 2026.2.12.

Thanks @akhmittra for reporting.

Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files. Typical impact: unauthorized file read or write outside the intended directory.

CVE-2026-28482 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (High). The vector is requires local access, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (2026.2.12); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

Fixed by validating session IDs (rejecting path separators / traversal sequences) and enforcing sessions-directory containment for session transcript file operations.

1. What is CVE-2026-28482? CVE-2026-28482 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions < 2026.2.12. It is fixed in 2026.2.12. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
2. How severe is CVE-2026-28482? CVE-2026-28482 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of openclaw are affected by CVE-2026-28482? openclaw (npm) versions < 2026.2.12 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2026-28482? Yes. CVE-2026-28482 is fixed in 2026.2.12. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2026-28482 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-28482 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2026-28482 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2026-28482? Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.12 or later.