# CVE-2026-44112: OpenClaw TOCTOU race condition in OpenShell sandbox filesystem writes

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44112-openclaw-openclaw-toctou-race-condition-in-openshell-fs-bridge  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-06. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44112 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2026-05-06

OpenClaw is a software framework that includes a sandboxed environment for executing code. A security flaw in its filesystem bridge allows an attacker to bypass sandbox restrictions and write files to unauthorized locations on the host system. This could lead to the corruption of sensitive system files or the placement of malicious files outside the intended secure area.

Technologies: [openclaw (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-openclaw), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openclaw). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openclaw).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44112 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44112 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44112?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 6 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openclaw (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=2026.4.22; Openclaw < 2026.4.22, <= 2026.4.21.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44112?** Yes. openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.4.22 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-44112 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44112?** Check whether you run openclaw (npm) or Openclaw at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.4.22 or later

  ```sh
  npm install openclaw@2026.4.22
  ```


## Technical details

A time-of-check/time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition exists in the OpenShell filesystem bridge of OpenClaw. By performing a symlink swap during filesystem operations, an attacker with low privileges can redirect write operations to locations outside the designated sandbox mount root. The vulnerability stems from the bridge failing to properly pin host writes to the sandbox root during the window between path validation and the actual write operation. This issue is addressed in version 2026.4.22 by validating canonical targets, rejecting unsafe symlink parents/leaves, and implementing root-scoped write helpers.

## Affected products

- OpenClaw OpenClaw < 2026.4.22

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-44112
- GHSA-wppj-c6mr-83jj

## Timeline

- 2026-04-23: advisory: Vendor advisory GHSA-wppj-c6mr-83jj published
- 2026-05-06: disclosed: CVE-2026-44112 published
- 2026-04-22: patched: Version 2026.4.22 released with fix

## References

- [https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/7be82d4fd1193bcb7e44ee38838f00bf924ffa76](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/7be82d4fd1193bcb7e44ee38838f00bf924ffa76)
- [https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-wppj-c6mr-83jj](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-wppj-c6mr-83jj)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-symlink-swap-race-condition-in-openshell-fs-bridge-writes](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-symlink-swap-race-condition-in-openshell-fs-bridge-writes)

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