# CVE-2026-26972: OpenClaw has a Path Traversal in Browser Download Functionality

> Authenticated attackers can exploit path traversal in browser downloads to write files outside the intended directory in OpenClaw.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.7 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Feb 2026
- **Updated:** 20 Feb 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xwjm-j929-xq7c

## What is CVE-2026-26972?

CVE-2026-26972 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 19 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant. In versions 2026.1.12 through 2026.2.12, OpenClaw browser download helpers accepted an unsanitized output path. When invoked via the browser control gateway routes, this allowed path traversal to write downloads outside the intended OpenClaw temp downloads directory. This issue is not exposed via the AI agent tool schema (no `download` action). Exploitation requires authenticated CLI access or an authenticated gateway RPC token. Version 2026.2.13 fixes the issue.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-26972?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including openclaw. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openclaw` | npm | From 2026.1.12 | 2026.2.13 |
| `openclaw` | npm | From 2026.1.12 | 2026.2.13 |

Products: Openclaw Openclaw.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-26972?

Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.13 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-26972 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-26972 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Openclaw Openclaw

- [CVE-2026-28363](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28363/): Security feature bypass in OpenClaw (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2026-30741](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-30741/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-33579](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33579/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.28 - Privilege Escalation via Missing Caller Scope Validation in Device Pair Approval (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2026-32922](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-32922/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.11 - Privilege Escalation via Unvalidated Scope in device.token.rotate (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2026-32978](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-32978/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.11 - Approval Bypass via Unrecognized Script Runners (critical 9.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-26972 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-26972 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 19 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-26972 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openclaw (npm): affected from 2026.1.12; fixed in 2026.2.13
- openclaw (npm): affected from 2026.1.12; fixed in 2026.2.13

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-26972/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-26972/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-26972
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-26972
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-26972

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-26972/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.