OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.17 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the $include directive resolution that allows reading arbitrary local files outside the config directory boundary. Attackers with config modification capabilities can exploit this by specifying absolute paths, traversal sequences, or symlinks to access sensitive files readable by the OpenClaw process user, including API keys and credentials.

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required High

Attack Requirements None

User Interaction None

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact None

Vulnerable System Availability Impact None

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required High

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact None

Availability Impact None

User Interaction None

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

No EPSS score available.

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact partial

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions
openclaw openclaw unaffected
Version Status Constraints
0 affected < 2026.2.17
2026.2.17 unaffected —

No data.

No data.

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Project Subscriptions

Vendors Products
Openclaw Subscribe
Openclaw Subscribe
Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-56pc-6hvp-4gv4 OpenClaw vulnerable to arbitrary file read via $include directive
Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.

Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

References
Link Providers
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/d1c00dbb7c64a39e205464dae7f2a068420e91c1 cve-icon cve-icon
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-56pc-6hvp-4gv4 cve-icon cve-icon
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-file-read-via-include-directive-path-traversal cve-icon cve-icon
History

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.17 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the $include directive resolution that allows reading arbitrary local files outside the config directory boundary. Attackers with config modification capabilities can exploit this by specifying absolute paths, traversal sequences, or symlinks to access sensitive files readable by the OpenClaw process user, including API keys and credentials.
Title OpenClaw < 2026.2.17 - Arbitrary File Read via $include Directive Path Traversal
First Time appeared Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
Weaknesses CWE-22
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:2026.2.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 6.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-11T14:37:31.749Z

Reserved: 2026-03-10T19:51:58.637Z

Link: CVE-2026-32061

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-11T14:37:26.875Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-03-11T14:16:28.140

Modified: 2026-03-11T14:16:28.140

Link: CVE-2026-32061

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses