CVE-2026-29611
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-29611 is a high-severity External Control of File Name or Path (CWE-73) vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw. Its CVSS base score is 8.2 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 20.7th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 AC-3 (Access Enforcement) and SI-10 (Information Input Validation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-29611 is a local file inclusion vulnerability affecting OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14, specifically in the BlueBubbles extension when installed and enabled. The issue resides in the sendBlueBubblesMedia function, which fails to properly validate the mediaPath parameter against an allowlist. This flaw, classified under CWE-73, enables attackers to traverse directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the local filesystem. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), highlighting high confidentiality impact with network accessibility and no prerequisites.
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a malicious mediaPath parameter to the sendBlueBubblesMedia endpoint. Successful exploitation allows reading of sensitive local files, such as /etc/passwd, which are then exfiltrated as media attachments. The attack requires the BlueBubbles extension to be active but demands no user interaction or privileges, making it straightforward over the network.
Advisories recommend upgrading to OpenClaw version 2026.2.14 or later, where the fix is implemented via commit 71f357d9498cebb0efe016b0496d5fbe807539fc. Additional guidance from the GitHub security advisory (GHSA-rwj8-p9vq-25gv) and VulnCheck details disabling the BlueBubbles extension as a temporary mitigation if patching is not immediately feasible.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9935
Vulnerability details
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14 contain a local file inclusion vulnerability in BlueBubbles extension (must be installed and enabled) media path handling that allows attackers to read arbitrary files from the local filesystem. The sendBlueBubblesMedia function fails to validate mediaPath…
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parameters against an allowlist, enabling attackers to request sensitive files like /etc/passwd and exfiltrate them as media attachments.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Remote unauthenticated LFI in public-facing sendBlueBubblesMedia endpoint directly enables T1190 exploitation of a public-facing application; successful arbitrary file read (e.g., /etc/passwd) directly enables T1005 collection of data from the local system, with exfiltration occurring via the application's own media-attachment mechanism.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
SI-10 mandates effective input validation at entry points to reject or filter invalid mediaPath parameters, directly preventing the path traversal in sendBlueBubblesMedia that enables arbitrary file reads.
AC-3 enforces approved authorizations for access to system resources like local files, blocking unauthorized reads of sensitive files such as /etc/passwd via the flawed mediaPath handling.
SI-2 requires timely identification, reporting, and correction of flaws like the improper mediaPath validation in OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.14, aligning with the recommended patch.