Description
## Vulnerability
Webhook transform modules were validated with lexical path checks only. A symlink under the allowed hooks transform tree could resolve outside the intended directory and be dynamically imported.
## Affected Packages / Versions
- Package: `openclaw` (npm)
- Affected versions: `<= 2026.2.21-2`
- Patched version (planned next release): `2026.2.22`
## Impact
When an attacker can cause a transform module path to reference a symlinked entry that resolves outside the trusted transform directory, the gateway may import and execute unintended JavaScript with gateway-process privileges.
## Attack Preconditions
- Hook transforms are enabled and reachable.
- Attacker can influence transform path resolution (for example via privileged config access and/or writable filesystem path in the transform tree).
- A symlink escape exists to attacker-controlled code.
## Remediation
- Enforce realpath-aware containment for existing path ancestors before dynamic import.
- Keep lexical containment checks for traversal and absolute-path escapes.
- Add regression coverage for:
- transform module symlink escape rejection,
- `hooks.transformsDir` symlink escape rejection,
- in-root symlink allow-case.
## Fix Commit(s)
- `f4dd0577b055f77af783105bd65eae32f3d5e6a1`
OpenClaw thanks @aether-ai-agent for reporting.
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npm | openclaw | < 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 | GHSA-659f-22xc-98f2 |