CVE-2026-44996Network attack vector

Arbitrary local file read via audio embedding

Published May 11, 2026 · Updated May 11, 2026

Path traversal in OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 allows remote attackers to read host-local audio files through webchat responses. The webchat audio embedding helper accepts agent- or tool-produced ReplyPayload.mediaUrl values, resolves absolute paths or file URLs, and reads them without enforcing local media root containment. Reachability requires influence over model or tool output, and disclosure is limited to audio-like files readable by the Gateway process and below the size cap.

CVSS severity6.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.30%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in OpenClaw before 2026.4.15 allows remote attackers to read host-local audio files through webchat responses. The webchat audio embedding helper accepts agent- or tool-produced ReplyPayload.mediaUrl values, resolves absolute paths or file URLs, and reads them without enforcing local media root containment. Reachability requires influence over model or tool output, and disclosure is limited to audio-like files readable by the Gateway process and below the size cap.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-44996
Published
May 11, 2026
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-22, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2026.4.15

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.4.15

Published CVSS scores

3.7VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
6.3VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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