GHSA-5ghc-98wh-gwwf OpenClaw's Control UI Static File Handler Follows Symlinks and Allows Out-of-Root File Read

• npm openclaw: < 2026.2.22 → fixed in 2026.2.22

Summary The Control UI static file handler previously validated asset paths lexically and then served files with APIs that follow symbolic links. A symlink placed under the Control UI root could cause out-of-root file reads. Affected Packages / Versions • Package: `openclaw` (npm) • Latest published version observed: `2026.2.21-2` • Affected versions: `<=2026.2.21-2` • Planned fixed release version: `2026.2.22` Technical Details The vulnerable flow was in `src/gateway/control-ui.ts`, where `path.join(...)` + string-prefix checks were followed by file reads that resolved symlinks. This allowed directory-confinement bypasses when symlinks existed inside the Control UI root. The fix now enforces realpath containment and verifies file identity before serving Control UI assets and SPA fallback `index.html`. Impact • Vulnerability type: path traversal / external file exposure via symlink following. • Primary impact: confidentiality (out-of-root file read). • Severity guidance: low in supported trusted-operator deployments; can be higher in unsupported shared-writable setups. Fix Commit(s) • `7c500ff6236fa087ec1ec88696ca9f6881e90dc5` Release Process Note `patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). After npm release is available, publish the advisory. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.