# CVE-2026-44996: OpenClaw < 2026.4.15 - Arbitrary Local File Read via Webchat Audio Embedding

> Attackers can read arbitrary local files via webchat audio embedding by manipulating media URLs, exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.3 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 11 May 2026
- **Updated:** 11 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gfg9-5357-hv4c, GHSA-prp6-v677-xqhq, MINI-5ffh-567p-xr2j, MINI-rqw2-2hhm-r3x5

## What is CVE-2026-44996?

CVE-2026-44996 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 11 May 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 contains an arbitrary local file read vulnerability in the webchat audio embedding helper that fails to apply local media root containment checks. Attackers can influence agent or tool-produced ReplyPayload.mediaUrl parameters to resolve absolute local paths or file URLs, read audio-like files, and embed them base64-encoded into webchat responses.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-44996?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.4.15 |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.4.15 |

Products: Openclaw Openclaw.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-44996?

Upgrade openclaw to 2026.4.15 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-44996 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-44996 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-2026-44996 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-44996 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 11 May 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-44996 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.4.15
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.4.15

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-2026-44996/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-44996/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-44996
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44996
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-44996

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-44996/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.