Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 contains an arbitrary local file read vulnerability in the webchat audio embedding helper that fails to apply local media root containment checks. Attackers can influence agent or tool-produced ReplyPayload.mediaUrl parameters to resolve absolute local paths or file URLs, read audio-like files, and embed them base64-encoded into webchat responses.
Published: 2026-05-11
Score: 6.3 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 allows an attacker to read arbitrary local files through a flaw in the webchat audio embedding helper that does not enforce media root containment. By supplying crafted ReplyPayload.mediaUrl values, the attacker can cause the system to resolve absolute local paths or file URLs, read audio‑like files from the host and embed them base64‑encoded into webchat responses. This vulnerability can expose sensitive data stored on the host, potentially exposing credentials or configuration information. The weakness is a classic Path Traversal or Local File Read flaw, reflected in CWE‑22.

Affected Systems

All OpenClaw installations running a version earlier than 2026.4.15 are impacted, regardless of deployment platform or configuration.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 6.3 classifies the issue as moderate severity. No EPSS data is available and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The likely attack vector requires an attacker who can influence the webchat or automated tools that generate ReplyPayload.mediaUrl parameters. Once the parameter is accepted, the attacker can read local files through the compromised helper code. The risk is significant if the application runs with elevated privileges or has access to sensitive files, but does not provide remote code execution.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 11, 2026 at 18:41 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.4.15 or later, which fixes the media root containment checks.
  • If an upgrade is not feasible, disable the webchat audio embedding feature or configure the system to reject absolute paths and file:// URLs in mediaUrl parameters.
  • Ensure server‑side validation of the mediaUrl field, allowing only relative paths or whitelisted public URLs and stripping any directory traversal or protocol prefixes.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 11, 2026 at 18:41 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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


Mon, 11 May 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 contains an arbitrary local file read vulnerability in the webchat audio embedding helper that fails to apply local media root containment checks. Attackers can influence agent or tool-produced ReplyPayload.mediaUrl parameters to resolve absolute local paths or file URLs, read audio-like files, and embed them base64-encoded into webchat responses.
Title OpenClaw < 2026.4.15 - Arbitrary Local File Read via Webchat Audio Embedding
First Time appeared Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
Weaknesses CWE-22
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
Vendors & Products Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 3.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 6.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Subscriptions

Openclaw Openclaw
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-11T19:05:34.644Z

Reserved: 2026-05-08T16:41:39.934Z

Link: CVE-2026-44996

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-11T18:49:59.806Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-05-11T18:16:39.530

Modified: 2026-05-12T14:19:41.400

Link: CVE-2026-44996

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-11T19:45:08Z

Weaknesses