Back to skill

Security audit

Obsidian Openclaw Sync

Security checks for vulnerabilities and agentic risk

Overview

This skill is understandable for iCloud syncing, but it can persistently redirect active OpenClaw skills and configuration to unvalidated iCloud vault content.

Install only if you trust every iCloud Obsidian vault this tool may select and understand that setup can replace local OpenClaw entries with persistent links to synced content. Avoid --no-confirm and --overwrite unless you have reviewed the printed plan and have backups of your local ~/.openclaw configuration.

Vulnerability Patterns
  • Insecure Skill Coding PracticesFinds exploitable flaws such as hardcoded secrets or command injection
  • Skill Instruction HijackingAlters the agent's session goals or safety constraints when the skill loads
  • Agent Memory PoisoningWrites attacker-controlled rules into memory that affect later sessions
  • Remote Payload Retrieval and ExecutionFetches external code whose behavior can change after review
  • Embedded Malicious CodeShips malicious scripts inside the skill and executes them locally
Findings (1)

T09 · Insecure Skill Coding Practices

Warning
Location
scripts/sync_helper.py:105
Finding

Unvalidated iCloud Vault Content Can Replace Active OpenClaw Skills and Configuration

Content
View full analysis
bool: """Check if a vault is a valid OpenClaw vault. A valid OpenClaw vault must have: 1. .obsidian directory (identifies it as an Obsidian vault) Note: openclaw.json is recommended but not strictly required. It may exist in iCloud as a template, and locally with machine-specific config. """ return (vault_path / ".obsidian").exists() ``` The selected vault's content is then used to replace local OpenClaw entries: ```python # Create core directory symlinks for dir_name in core_dirs: src = helper.icloud_vault / dir_name if src.exists(): symlink_path = helper.local_vault / dir_name if symlink_path.exists() or symlink_path.is_symlink(): symlink_path.unlink() symlink_path.symlink_to(src) print(f" ✓ Created: {dir_name}") created_count += 1 # Create workspace symlinks for ws in sorted(workspaces): src = helper.icloud_vault / ws symlink_path = helper.local_vault / ws if symlink_path.exists() or symlink_path.is_symlink(): symlink_path.unlink() symlink_path.symlink_to(src) print(f" ✓ Created: {ws}") created_count += 1 # Create config file symlinks if config_files: local_openclaw_dir = helper.local_vault / ".openclaw" local_openclaw_dir.mkdir(exist_ok=True) for config_file in config_files: file_name = config_file.replace(".openclaw/", "") src = openclaw_dir / file_name symlink_path = local_openclaw_dir / file_name if symlink_path.exists() or symlink_path.is_symlink(): ...[truncated 3003 chars]
Remediation
View remediation
Vulnerability Patterns
  • Excessive AgencyUnrestricted Tool Access, Autonomous Decision Making, Scope Creep
  • Tool MisuseTool Parameter Abuse, Chaining Abuse, Unsafe Defaults
  • Rogue AgentSelf-Modification, Session Persistence
  • Prompt InjectionInstruction Override, Hidden Instructions, Exfiltration Commands
  • Data ExfiltrationExternal Transmission, Env Variable Harvesting, File System Enumeration
Findings (19)

Tool Parameter Abuse

High
Category
Tool Misuse
Confidence
87% confidence
Finding

--no-confirm is a parameter that disables a safety control for an operation that changes symlinks and can replace local configuration with iCloud-linked files. In a tool intended for automation across devices, this creates a realistic path to unintended file redirection, destructive replacement, or unsafe scripted execution without user review.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 59)May include surrounding context.

md
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `--vault N` | `-v N` | Pre-select vault by index (default: interactive) |
| `--overwrite` | `-w` | Overwrite local `openclaw.json` with symlink to iCloud version |
| `--no-confirm` | `-y` | Skip confirmation prompt (auto-confirm) |

## Examples

Tool Parameter Abuse

High
Category
Tool Misuse
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Tool parameters are crafted to achieve unintended or unsafe behavior. Parameter abuse can bypass intended safety checks (e.g. shell=True, --force, dangerous glob patterns).

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 74)May include surrounding context.

md
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Tool Parameter Abuse

High
Category
Tool Misuse
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Tool parameters are crafted to achieve unintended or unsafe behavior. Parameter abuse can bypass intended safety checks (e.g. shell=True, --force, dangerous glob patterns).

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 77)May include surrounding context.

md
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Tool Parameter Abuse

High
Category
Tool Misuse
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Tool parameters are crafted to achieve unintended or unsafe behavior. Parameter abuse can bypass intended safety checks (e.g. shell=True, --force, dangerous glob patterns).

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 581)May include surrounding context.

python
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Tool Parameter Abuse

High
Category
Tool Misuse
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Tool parameters are crafted to achieve unintended or unsafe behavior. Parameter abuse can bypass intended safety checks (e.g. shell=True, --force, dangerous glob patterns).

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 606)May include surrounding context.

python
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Missing User Warnings

Medium
Category
Not specified by scanner
Confidence
91% confidence
Finding

The skill documents destructive behavior (--overwrite) and confirmation bypass (--no-confirm) without any explicit warning about replacing local configuration or the risk of unintended symlink changes. In a sync/setup tool that modifies local files, this increases the chance of accidental data loss or silent re-pointing of configuration to iCloud content.

Content

No source excerpt is available for this finding.

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
90% confidence
Finding

The presence of a --no-confirm flag in a setup tool that can overwrite openclaw.json and manage symlinks is a genuine unsafe design choice. It enables unattended state changes that may redirect configuration to synced content or remove protections against user error.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 59)May include surrounding context.

md
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `--vault N` | `-v N` | Pre-select vault by index (default: interactive) |
| `--overwrite` | `-w` | Overwrite local `openclaw.json` with symlink to iCloud version |
| `--no-confirm` | `-y` | Skip confirmation prompt (auto-confirm) |

## Examples

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
90% confidence
Finding

The presence of a --no-confirm flag in a setup tool that can overwrite openclaw.json and manage symlinks is a genuine unsafe design choice. It enables unattended state changes that may redirect configuration to synced content or remove protections against user error.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 59)May include surrounding context.

md
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `--vault N` | `-v N` | Pre-select vault by index (default: interactive) |
| `--overwrite` | `-w` | Overwrite local `openclaw.json` with symlink to iCloud version |
| `--no-confirm` | `-y` | Skip confirmation prompt (auto-confirm) |

## Examples

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
90% confidence
Finding

The presence of a --no-confirm flag in a setup tool that can overwrite openclaw.json and manage symlinks is a genuine unsafe design choice. It enables unattended state changes that may redirect configuration to synced content or remove protections against user error.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 59)May include surrounding context.

md
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `--vault N` | `-v N` | Pre-select vault by index (default: interactive) |
| `--overwrite` | `-w` | Overwrite local `openclaw.json` with symlink to iCloud version |
| `--no-confirm` | `-y` | Skip confirmation prompt (auto-confirm) |

## Examples

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
75% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 73)May include surrounding context.

md
# Setup with overwrite (replace local openclaw.json with iCloud symlink)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 73)May include surrounding context.

md
# Setup with overwrite (replace local openclaw.json with iCloud symlink)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 608)May include surrounding context.

python
# Setup with overwrite (replace local openclaw.json with iCloud symlink)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
65% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 74)May include surrounding context.

md
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --vault 1 --no-confirm

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
65% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 77)May include surrounding context.

md
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --vault 1 --no-confirm

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
65% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 581)May include surrounding context.

python
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --vault 1 --no-confirm

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
65% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 606)May include surrounding context.

python
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --overwrite

# Setup without confirmation prompt (auto-confirm)
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --no-confirm

# Setup specific vault without prompts
/obsidian-openclaw-sync setup --vault 1 --no-confirm

Session Persistence

Medium
Category
Rogue Agent
Confidence
83% confidence
Finding

The setup flow can replace persistent local configuration under ~/.openclaw, including unlinking an existing local openclaw.json and creating symlinks to files discovered in iCloud. Because the script trusts any vault containing a '.obsidian' directory and does not validate ownership, canonical paths, or whether symlink targets are themselves symlinks to unexpected locations, a malicious or compromised iCloud vault could persistently redirect local configuration to attacker-controlled content.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 296)May include surrounding context.

python
Args:
        vault_index: Pre-selected vault index (-1 for interactive selection)
        overwrite: If True, overwrite local openclaw.json with symlink to iCloud version
        confirm: If True, ask for confirmation before creating symlinks
    """
    print("OpenClaw Setup")

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 581)May include surrounding context.

python
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Autonomous Decision Making

Medium
Category
Excessive Agency
Confidence
85% confidence
Finding

Skill enables autonomous high-impact decisions without human-in-the-loop verification. Critical operations (destructive commands, financial transactions, data deletion) should require explicit user confirmation.

Content

Scanner excerpt · scripts/sync_helper.py (reported line 608)May include surrounding context.

python
Examples:
  %(prog)s setup                    # Interactive setup with prompts
  %(prog)s setup --overwrite        # Overwrite local openclaw.json with iCloud version
  %(prog)s setup --no-confirm       # Skip confirmation prompt
  %(prog)s setup --vault 1          # Select vault by index
  %(prog)s status                   # Show all iCloud vaults status
  %(prog)s unset                    # Remove local symlinks

Static analysis

No suspicious patterns detected.