diff --git a/tools/file_operations.py b/tools/file_operations.py
index 96bdc2d53..bcf27118f 100644
--- a/tools/file_operations.py
+++ b/tools/file_operations.py
@@ -112,6 +112,81 @@ def _is_write_denied(path: str) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
+# SECURITY: Path traversal detection patterns
+_PATH_TRAVERSAL_PATTERNS = [
+    re.compile(r'\.\./'),  # Unix-style traversal
+    re.compile(r'\.\.\\'),  # Windows-style traversal
+    re.compile(r'\.\.$'),  # Bare .. at end
+    re.compile(r'%2e%2e[/\\]', re.IGNORECASE),  # URL-encoded traversal
+    re.compile(r'\.\.//'),  # Double-slash traversal
+    re.compile(r'^/~'),  # Attempted home dir escape via tilde
+]
+
+
+def _contains_path_traversal(path: str) -> bool:
+    """Check if path contains directory traversal attempts.
+    
+    SECURITY FIX (V-002): Detects path traversal patterns like:
+    - ../../../etc/passwd
+    - ..\\..\\windows\\system32
+    - %2e%2e%2f (URL-encoded)
+    - ~/../../../etc/shadow (via tilde expansion)
+    """
+    if not path:
+        return False
+    
+    # Check against all traversal patterns
+    for pattern in _PATH_TRAVERSAL_PATTERNS:
+        if pattern.search(path):
+            return True
+    
+    # Check for null byte injection (CWE-73)
+    if '\x00' in path:
+        return True
+    
+    # Check for overly long paths that might bypass filters
+    if len(path) > 4096:
+        return True
+    
+    return False
+
+
+def _validate_safe_path(path: str, operation: str = "access") -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Validate that a path is safe for file operations.
+    
+    Returns:
+        (is_safe, error_message) tuple. If is_safe is False, error_message
+        contains the reason.
+    
+    SECURITY FIX (V-002): Centralized path validation to prevent:
+    - Path traversal attacks (../../../etc/shadow)
+    - Home directory expansion attacks (~user/malicious)
+    - Null byte injection
+    """
+    if not path:
+        return False, "Path cannot be empty"
+    
+    # Check for path traversal attempts
+    if _contains_path_traversal(path):
+        return False, (
+            f"Path traversal detected in '{path}'. "
+            f"Access to paths outside the working directory is not permitted."
+        )
+    
+    # Validate path characters (prevent shell injection via special chars)
+    # Allow alphanumeric, spaces, common path chars, but block control chars
+    invalid_chars = set()
+    for char in path:
+        if ord(char) < 32 and char not in '\t\n':  # Control chars except tab/newline
+            invalid_chars.add(repr(char))
+    if invalid_chars:
+        return False, (
+            f"Path contains invalid control characters: {', '.join(invalid_chars)}"
+        )
+    
+    return True, ""
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Result Data Classes
 # =============================================================================
@@ -475,6 +550,11 @@ class ShellFileOperations(FileOperations):
         Returns:
             ReadResult with content, metadata, or error info
         """
+        # SECURITY FIX (V-002): Validate path before any operations
+        is_safe, error_msg = _validate_safe_path(path, "read")
+        if not is_safe:
+            return ReadResult(error=f"Security violation: {error_msg}")
+        
         # Expand ~ and other shell paths
         path = self._expand_path(path)
         
@@ -663,6 +743,11 @@ class ShellFileOperations(FileOperations):
         Returns:
             WriteResult with bytes written or error
         """
+        # SECURITY FIX (V-002): Validate path before any operations
+        is_safe, error_msg = _validate_safe_path(path, "write")
+        if not is_safe:
+            return WriteResult(error=f"Security violation: {error_msg}")
+        
         # Expand ~ and other shell paths
         path = self._expand_path(path)