Openclaw cli: OpenClaw has a workspace-only sandbox guard mismatch for @-prefixed absolute paths (CVE-2026-32033)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions up to 2026.2.23 contain a vulnerability where a workspace-only sandbox guard mismatch allows certain @-prefixed absolute paths to bypass boundary validation. This flaw can enable reading files outside the intended workspace when the workspace-only mode is enabled. The issue is fixed in version 2026.2.24.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in OpenClaw CLI arises from a mismatch in handling @-prefixed absolute paths under the workspace-only file-system guard. When tools.fs.workspaceOnly is set to true, paths like '@/etc/passwd' may be validated before canonicalization, but runtime path normalization treats the prefix differently. This discrepancy allows these paths to bypass boundary checks, potentially permitting unauthorized reads outside the workspace boundary. The vulnerability affects versions >=2026.1.29 and <2026.2.24 and is fixed in 2026.2.24. OpenClaw is primarily a personal-assistant runtime with trusted-user assumptions, and this sandbox bypass is gated behind non-default configurations, reducing practical exposure.
Potential Impact
An attacker or user operating in a workspace-only sandbox configuration could exploit this vulnerability to read files outside the intended workspace boundary. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. However, since the feature is behind a non-default sandbox configuration and OpenClaw assumes trusted users, the practical risk is limited but the bug remains a security concern.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available and should be applied by upgrading OpenClaw CLI to version 2026.2.24 or later. This update fixes the sandbox guard mismatch and prevents the bypass of boundary validation for @-prefixed absolute paths.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-32033
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ac245da12601ec6a31680ae
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:26:02 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 13:21:23 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:37 UTC
Views: 4
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