OpenClaw vulnerable to arbitrary file read via $include directive

Vulnerability

Path traversal in config $include resolution allowed arbitrary local file reads outside the config directory boundary (CWE-22).

Attack Vectors

1. If an attacker can modify OpenClaw config, they can set $include to absolute paths (for example /etc/passwd) and read files accessible to the OpenClaw process.
2. If an attacker can modify OpenClaw config, they can use traversal paths (for example ../../...) to escape the config directory.
3. If an attacker can create symlinks inside the config directory, they can point includes to external files unless real-path checks are enforced.
4. Impact scope is bounded by the file permissions of the OpenClaw runtime user; this is not an unauthenticated remote-only vector by itself.

Impact

A successful exploit can expose local secrets and credentials readable by the OpenClaw process user, including API keys and private config material.

Affected Packages / Versions

• Package: openclaw (npm)
• Vulnerable versions: <=2026.2.15
• Patched versions: >=2026.2.17

Fix Commit(s)

• d1c00dbb7c64a39e205464dae7f2a068420e91c1

Release Process Note

Patched version is pre-set to 2026.2.17. Once npm release 2026.2.17 is available, this advisory is ready to publish.

OpenClaw thanks @aether-ai-agent for reporting.