OpenClaw: Skill env override host env injection via applySkillConfigEnvOverrides (defense-in-depth)
Summary
applySkillConfigEnvOverrides previously copied skills.entries.*.env values into the host process.env without applying the host env safety policy.
Impact
In affected versions, dangerous process-level variables such as NODE_OPTIONS could be injected when unset, which can influence runtime/child-process behavior.
Required attacker capability
An attacker must be able to modify OpenClaw local state/config (for example ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json) to set skills.entries.<skill>.env or related skill config values.
Remediation
Fixed in 2026.2.21 by sanitizing skill env overrides and blocking dangerous host env keys (including NODE_OPTIONS) before applying overrides, with regression tests covering blocked dangerous keys.
Fix Commit(s)
8c9f35cdb51692b650ddf05b259ccdd75cc9a83c
Found using MCPwner
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-82g8-464f-2mv7
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-4039
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/8c9f35cdb51692b650ddf05b259ccdd75cc9a83c
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.21
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-1341, CWE-15, CWE-94- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 27.02.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-82g8-464f-2mv7 - 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: Skill env override host env injection via applySkillConfigEnvOverrides (defense-in-depth) 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.