OpenClaw's shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class)
Summary
system.run environment sanitization allowed shell-startup env overrides (HOME, ZDOTDIR) that can execute attacker-controlled startup files before allowlist-evaluated command bodies.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected:
<= 2026.2.21-2(latest published vulnerable version) - Planned patched version:
>= 2026.2.22
Technical Details
In affected versions:
- Env sanitization blocked many dangerous keys, but not startup-sensitive override keys (
HOME,ZDOTDIR) in host exec env paths. - Shell-wrapper analysis for allowlist mode models command bodies, but not shell startup side effects.
- Runtime execution used sanitized env, so attacker-provided startup-key overrides could run hidden startup payloads first.
Observed exploit vectors:
HOME+bash -lc+ malicious.bash_profileZDOTDIR+zsh -c+ malicious.zshenv
Fix Commit(s)
c2c7114ed39a547ab6276e1e933029b9530ee906
Release Process Note
patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (>= 2026.2.22). After the npm release is published, this advisory can be published directly.
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 | < 2026.2.22 | 2026.2.22 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32056
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/c2c7114ed39a547ab6276e1e933029b9530ee906
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-remote-code-execution-via-shell-startup-environment-variable-injection-in-system-run
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-15, CWE-78- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 03.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg - 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 shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class) this entry
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