OpenClaw shell-env fallback trusted startup env and could execute attacker-influenced login-shell paths
Summary
OpenClaw shell-env fallback trusted startup environment values and could execute attacker-influenced login-shell startup paths before loading env keys.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
>= 2026.1.5and<= 2026.2.21-2 - Fixed on
main:9363c320d8ffe29290906752fab92621da02c3f7 - Planned patched release version (pre-set):
2026.2.22
Details
The vulnerable chain was in the shell-env fallback path:
src/infra/shell-env.ts
resolveShell(env)trustedenv.SHELLwhen set.execLoginShellEnvZero(...)executed${SHELL} -l -c "env -0"with inherited runtime env.
src/config/io.ts
- Config env values were applied before shell fallback execution.
src/config/env-vars.ts/ env policy coverage
SHELLhandling was hardened, but startup-path selectors (HOME,ZDOTDIR) still needed explicit blocking in config env ingestion and sanitization for shell fallback execution.
With env/config influence, this could trigger unintended command execution in shell startup processing on the OpenClaw host process context.
Fix
Mainline hardening now:
- blocks
SHELL,HOME, andZDOTDIRduring config env ingestion used by runtime fallback, - sanitizes shell fallback execution env, pinning
HOMEto the real user home and droppingZDOTDIR+ dangerous startup vars, - adds regression tests for config env ingestion and shell fallback/path-probe sanitization.
Fix Commit(s)
9363c320d8ffe29290906752fab92621da02c3f7
Impact
- Local code-execution risk in environments where attacker-controlled env/config input can reach shell-env fallback.
- Under OpenClaw trust assumptions (
SECURITY.md), this is not a public-remote issue and depends on crossing local trusted-operator boundaries.
Release Process Note
patched_versions is intentionally pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.22) so once npm release is out, maintainers can publish advisory immediately.
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
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L- 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-5h2c-8v84-qpvr - 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 shell-env fallback trusted startup env and could execute attacker-influenced login-shell paths 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.