GHSA-XGF2-VXV2-RRMG

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-03 22:12 – Updated: 2026-03-30 13:37
VLAI?
Summary
OpenClaw's shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class)
Details

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_profile - ZDOTDIR + 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.

Severity ?
7.5 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.7 (High)
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Show details on source website
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "openclaw"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2026.2.22"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-32056"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-15",
      "CWE-78"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-03T22:12:51Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\n`system.run` environment sanitization allowed shell-startup env overrides (`HOME`, `ZDOTDIR`) that can execute attacker-controlled startup files before allowlist-evaluated command bodies.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected: `\u003c= 2026.2.21-2` (latest published vulnerable version)\n- Planned patched version: `\u003e= 2026.2.22`\n\n### Technical Details\nIn affected versions:\n- Env sanitization blocked many dangerous keys, but not startup-sensitive override keys (`HOME`, `ZDOTDIR`) in host exec env paths.\n- Shell-wrapper analysis for allowlist mode models command bodies, but not shell startup side effects.\n- Runtime execution used sanitized env, so attacker-provided startup-key overrides could run hidden startup payloads first.\n\nObserved exploit vectors:\n- `HOME` + `bash -lc` + malicious `.bash_profile`\n- `ZDOTDIR` + `zsh -c` + malicious `.zshenv`\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `c2c7114ed39a547ab6276e1e933029b9530ee906`\n\n### Release Process Note\n`patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`\u003e= 2026.2.22`). After the npm release is published, this advisory can be published directly.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "id": "GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg",
  "modified": "2026-03-30T13:37:58Z",
  "published": "2026-03-03T22:12:51Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32056"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/c2c7114ed39a547ab6276e1e933029b9530ee906"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-remote-code-execution-via-shell-startup-environment-variable-injection-in-system-run"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "OpenClaw\u0027s shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class)"
}


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