OpenClaw's config env vars allowed startup env injection into service runtime
Summary
OpenClaw allowed dangerous process-control environment variables from env.vars (for example NODE_OPTIONS, LD_*, DYLD_*) to flow into gateway service runtime environments, enabling startup-time code execution in the OpenClaw process context.
Details
collectConfigEnvVars() accepted unfiltered keys from config and those values were merged into the daemon install environment in buildGatewayInstallPlan(). Before the fix, startup-control variables were not blocked in this path.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Latest published affected version:
2026.2.19-2(published February 19, 2026) - Affected range (structured):
<=2026.2.19-2 || =2026.2.19 - Patched version (pre-set for next release):
>= 2026.2.21
Fix Commit(s)
2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4
Release Process Note
patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.21). Once that npm release is published, this advisory is ready to publish without further content edits.
OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.21 | 2026.2.21 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-w9j9-w4cp-6wgr
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22177
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-config-env-vars
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-15- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 03.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openclaw
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 588
- First → latest
- 02.2026 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 20
- High 215
- Medium 299
- Low 54
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 588
-
OpenClaw's config env vars allowed startup env injection into service runtime this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.