OpenClaw's shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class)

CVE-2026-32056 → View on GitHub ↗ View on CVE.org ↗ View on NVD ↗

Description

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.

Basic information

Type
reviewed
Severity
high
Advisory on GitHub
Open advisory ↗
Repository advisory
Open repository advisory ↗
Source code
Browse source ↗
Published (advisory)
2026-03-03 22:12:51 UTC
Updated
2026-03-30 13:37:59 UTC
GitHub reviewed
2026-03-03 22:12:51 UTC

EPSS Score

Score Percentile
0.14% 34.66%

CVSS Scores

Base score Version Severity Vector
7.5 3.1 —
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:N)
Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:L)
A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:N)
Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U)
Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:H)
Serious risk that confidential data gets exposed in a big way.
Integrity (I:H)
They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt.
Availability (A:H)
Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.
7.7 4.0 —
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 Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:N)
Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Exploitation depends on constrained or hard-to-reproduce conditions.
Attack requirements (AT:N)
No additional preconditions are required beyond normal reachability.
Privileges required (PR:L)
Low privileges are required.
User interaction (UI:N)
No user interaction is required.
Vulnerable system confidentiality impact (VC:H)
High confidentiality impact on the vulnerable system.
Vulnerable system integrity impact (VI:H)
High integrity impact on the vulnerable system.
Vulnerable system availability impact (VA:H)
High availability impact on the vulnerable system.
Subsequent system confidentiality impact (SC:N)
No confidentiality impact on subsequent systems.
Subsequent system integrity impact (SI:N)
No integrity impact on subsequent systems.
Subsequent system availability impact (SA:N)
No availability impact on subsequent systems.

Identifiers

Type Value
GHSA GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg ↗
CVE CVE-2026-32056 ↗

CWEs

CWE id Name
CWE-15 External Control of System or Configuration Setting
CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

Credits

  • tdjackey (reporter)

Affected packages (1)

Vulnerable version ranges and first patched releases as published by GitHub.

Ecosystem Package Vulnerable range First patched Vulnerable functions
npm openclaw < 2026.2.22 2026.2.22 —

References

cvelogic Threat Intelligence