Summary
A path traversal (Zip Slip) issue in archive extraction during explicit installation commands could allow a crafted archive to write files outside the intended extraction directory.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
>=2026.1.16-2 <2026.2.14 - Fixed version:
2026.2.14
Affected Commands / Flows
This only affects users who run installation commands against an untrusted archive (local file or download URL), for example:
openclaw skills install(download+extract installers)openclaw hooks install(archive installs)openclaw plugins install(archive installs)openclaw signal install(signal-cli asset extraction)
It is not triggered by receiving messages or normal gateway operation.
Credits
OpenClaw thanks @markmusson for reporting.
Impact
Arbitrary file write as the current user. In the worst case this can be used for persistence or code execution if an attacker can convince a user to install a crafted archive.
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-2026-28486 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). The vector is requires local access, no privileges required, and user interaction required. 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 (2026.2.14); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
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. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
- Fix commit:
3aa94afcfd12104c683c9cad81faf434d0dadf87 - Released in:
2026.2.14
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-28486? CVE-2026-28486 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions >= 2026.1.16-2, < 2026.2.14. It is fixed in 2026.2.14. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
- How severe is CVE-2026-28486? CVE-2026-28486 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). 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.
- Which versions of openclaw are affected by CVE-2026-28486? openclaw (npm) versions >= 2026.1.16-2, < 2026.2.14 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-28486? Yes. CVE-2026-28486 is fixed in 2026.2.14. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-28486 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-28486 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
- What actually determines whether CVE-2026-28486 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.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-28486? Upgrade
openclawto 2026.2.14 or later.