GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations
Attackers can read or modify files outside the workspace via hardlink aliases in OpenClaw when workspace-only restrictions are enabled.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Not stated
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496?
GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 is a path traversal vulnerability in openclaw, published on 4 Mar 2026.
Official description
Summary
In certain workspace-restricted configurations, OpenClaw could follow hardlink aliases inside the workspace that reference files outside the workspace boundary.
By default, tools.fs.workspaceOnly is off. This primarily affects deployments that intentionally enable workspace-only filesystem restrictions (and workspace-only apply_patch checks).
Impact
- Confidentiality: out-of-workspace files could be read through in-workspace hardlink aliases.
- Integrity: out-of-workspace files could be modified through in-workspace hardlink aliases.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Latest published version at triage time:
2026.2.24 - Affected range:
<= 2026.2.24 - Planned patched version:
2026.2.25
Fix Commit(s)
04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e(main)
Remediation
OpenClaw now rejects hardlinked final-file aliases during workspace boundary validation for:
- workspace-only path checks (
read/write/edit) - workspace-only
apply_patchread/write paths - sandbox mount-root path-safety checks
Regression tests were added for apply_patch, workspace fs tools, and sandbox fs bridge hardlink alias escapes.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
Which versions are affected by GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including openclaw.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
openclaw npm | All versions | 2026.2.25 |
openclaw npm | All versions | 2026.2.25 |
How do I fix GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496?
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.25 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496 in the wild and no public exploit code.