GHSA-56pc-6hvp-4gv4

## 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.