OpenClaw has multiple E2E/test Dockerfiles that run all processes as root
Three Dockerfiles in scripts/docker/ and scripts/e2e/ lack a USER directive, meaning all processes run as uid 0 (root). If any process is compromised, the attacker has root inside the container, making container breakout significantly easier. Partial fix (2026-02-08): Commit 28e1a65e added USER sandbox to Dockerfile.sandbox and Dockerfile.sandbox-browser. The E2E/test Dockerfiles listed below remain unpatched.
Affected components:
- scripts/e2e/Dockerfile
- scripts/e2e/Dockerfile.qr-import
- scripts/docker/install-sh-e2e/Dockerfile
- scripts/docker/install-sh-nonroot/Dockerfile (runs as app but with NOPASSWD sudo — see related advisory)
Technical Reproduction:
- Open each Dockerfile listed above and search for a USER directive — none found.
- Run any of these containers: docker run --rm -it <image> id
- Observe: returns uid=0(root).
Demonstrated Impact:
- Root inside the container enables kernel exploit attempts, volume mount abuse, and privileged syscall access.
- Test images share the same base (node:22-bookworm) as production, creating risk of accidental deployment of root-running images.
Environment: Base images node:22-bookworm and node:22-bookworm-slim default to root. Dockerfile.sandbox and Dockerfile.sandbox-browser were remediated in commit 28e1a65e; only the E2E/test images listed above remain affected.
Remediation: Add a USER directive before CMD/ENTRYPOINT in each remaining Dockerfile: RUN useradd --create-home --shell /bin/bash appuser USER appuser
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
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-250- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 03.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-w7j5-j98m-w679 - 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 multiple E2E/test Dockerfiles that run all processes as root this entry
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