OpenClaw has a CWD `.env` environment variable injection which bypasses host-env policy and allows config takeover
Summary
OpenClaw loaded the current working directory .env before trusted state-dir configuration, allowing untrusted workspace state to inject host environment values.
Impact
A repository or workspace containing a malicious .env file could override runtime configuration and security-sensitive environment settings when OpenClaw started there.
Affected Component
src/infra/dotenv.ts, src/cli/dotenv.ts
Fixed Versions
- Affected:
<= 2026.3.24 - Patched:
>= 2026.3.28 - Latest stable
2026.3.28contains the fix.
Fix
Fixed by commit 6a79324802 (Filter untrusted CWD .env entries before OpenClaw startup).
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.3.28 | 2026.3.28 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-426- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 01.04.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq - 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 has a CWD `.env` environment variable injection which bypasses host-env policy and allows config takeover this entry
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