# CVE-2026-28463: OpenClaw < 2026.2.14 - Arbitrary File Read via Shell Expansion in Safe Bins Allowlist

> Attackers can read arbitrary files via shell expansion in safe binaries when host execution is enabled in allowlist mode.

- **Severity:** High 8.6 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Mar 2026
- **Updated:** 21 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xvhf-x56f-2hpp

## What is CVE-2026-28463?

CVE-2026-28463 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 5 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability in the exec-approvals allowlist validation that checks pre-expansion argv tokens but executes using real shell expansion. Attackers with authorization or through prompt-injection attacks can exploit safe binaries like head, tail, or grep with glob patterns or environment variables to disclose files readable by the gateway or node process when host execution is enabled in allowlist mode.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-28463?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.14 |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.14 |

Products: Openclaw Openclaw.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-28463?

Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.14 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-28463 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-28463 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-2026-28463 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-28463 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 5 Mar 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-2026-28463 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.14
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.14

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-2026-28463/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28463/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-28463
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28463
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-28463

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28463/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.