File Read Bypass Vulnerability in OpenClaw Package

openclaw Updated 04 Mar 2026

Summary

03/03/2026

Disclosed on

MODERATE

Severity

Yes i

Fix available

Moderate

Severity

5.1

CVSS Score

GHSA-3xfw-4pmr-4xc5: OpenClaw safeBins grep -e File Read Bypass (stdin-only policy bypass). Affects openclaw versions < 2026.2.21. Fixed in 2026.2.21. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or Browse

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats

SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml

Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile

Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml

PHP composer.lock

Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock

Go go.mod

Rust Cargo.lock

Ruby Gemfile.lock

Dart pubspec.lock

C/C++ conan.lock

Elixir mix.lock

Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Background

OpenClaw is an open-source tool designed for executing safe binaries in a controlled environment. It provides a mechanism to run commands while ensuring that only specified binaries can be executed, thus enhancing security. However, a recent vulnerability has been identified in its tools.exec.safeBins feature, specifically related to the grep command, which could allow unauthorized file access under certain conditions.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from a stdin-only policy bypass in the OpenClaw package, specifically when using the grep command with the -e or --regexp flag. This configuration allows an attacker to supply a pattern that is treated as a flag value, enabling the use of a positional operand that can reference a file, such as .env. This undermines the intended security model, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive files in the working directory. The technical implementation in src/infra/exec-safe-bin-policy.ts incorrectly permits this behavior, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 2026.10.6 as of 22 Oct 2026

npm install openclaw@2026.10.6

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

2026.2.21

This is the first release that contains the fix.

npm install openclaw@2026.2.21

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, avoid using the grep command in the tools.exec.safeBins configuration until you can update to the patched version. If you must use it, ensure that the grep command is not included in the safe binaries list to prevent potential exploitation.

Conclusion

In summary, the OpenClaw package has a vulnerability that allows file read bypass when using the grep command under certain conditions. It is crucial for users to update to the patched version to secure their applications. Additionally, using Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.

See every vulnerability recorded for openclaw →