diff --git a/tests/tools/test_credential_files.py b/tests/tools/test_credential_files.py
index b6e43d4a8..7449c1db4 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_credential_files.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_credential_files.py
@@ -304,3 +304,57 @@ class TestPathTraversalSecurity:
         # The resolved path escapes HERMES_HOME — must be rejected
         assert result is False
         assert get_credential_file_mounts() == []
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Config-based credential files — same containment checks
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestConfigPathTraversal:
+    """terminal.credential_files in config.yaml must also reject traversal."""
+
+    def _write_config(self, hermes_home: Path, cred_files: list):
+        import yaml
+        config_path = hermes_home / "config.yaml"
+        config_path.write_text(yaml.dump({"terminal": {"credential_files": cred_files}}))
+
+    def test_config_traversal_rejected(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        """'../secret' in config.yaml must not escape HERMES_HOME."""
+        hermes_home = tmp_path / ".hermes"
+        hermes_home.mkdir()
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(hermes_home))
+
+        sensitive = tmp_path / "secret.json"
+        sensitive.write_text("{}")
+        self._write_config(hermes_home, ["../secret.json"])
+
+        mounts = get_credential_file_mounts()
+        host_paths = [m["host_path"] for m in mounts]
+        assert str(sensitive) not in host_paths
+        assert str(sensitive.resolve()) not in host_paths
+
+    def test_config_absolute_path_rejected(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        """Absolute paths in config.yaml must be rejected."""
+        hermes_home = tmp_path / ".hermes"
+        hermes_home.mkdir()
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(hermes_home))
+
+        sensitive = tmp_path / "abs.json"
+        sensitive.write_text("{}")
+        self._write_config(hermes_home, [str(sensitive)])
+
+        mounts = get_credential_file_mounts()
+        assert mounts == []
+
+    def test_config_legitimate_file_works(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        """Normal files inside HERMES_HOME via config must still mount."""
+        hermes_home = tmp_path / ".hermes"
+        hermes_home.mkdir()
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(hermes_home))
+
+        (hermes_home / "oauth.json").write_text("{}")
+        self._write_config(hermes_home, ["oauth.json"])
+
+        mounts = get_credential_file_mounts()
+        assert len(mounts) == 1
+        assert "oauth.json" in mounts[0]["container_path"]
diff --git a/tools/credential_files.py b/tools/credential_files.py
index 95f068a81..af4d13a4e 100644
--- a/tools/credential_files.py
+++ b/tools/credential_files.py
@@ -141,11 +141,27 @@ def _load_config_files() -> List[Dict[str, str]]:
                 cfg = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
             cred_files = cfg.get("terminal", {}).get("credential_files")
             if isinstance(cred_files, list):
+                hermes_home_resolved = hermes_home.resolve()
                 for item in cred_files:
                     if isinstance(item, str) and item.strip():
-                        host_path = hermes_home / item.strip()
+                        rel = item.strip()
+                        if os.path.isabs(rel):
+                            logger.warning(
+                                "credential_files: rejected absolute config path %r", rel,
+                            )
+                            continue
+                        host_path = (hermes_home / rel).resolve()
+                        try:
+                            host_path.relative_to(hermes_home_resolved)
+                        except ValueError:
+                            logger.warning(
+                                "credential_files: rejected config path traversal %r "
+                                "(resolves to %s, outside HERMES_HOME %s)",
+                                rel, host_path, hermes_home_resolved,
+                            )
+                            continue
                         if host_path.is_file():
-                            container_path = f"/root/.hermes/{item.strip()}"
+                            container_path = f"/root/.hermes/{rel}"
                             result.append({
                                 "host_path": str(host_path),
                                 "container_path": container_path,