OpenClaw affected by BASH_ENV / ENV startup-file injection into spawned shell commands
Summary
BASH_ENV / ENV startup-file injection could lead to unintended pre-command shell execution when attacker-controlled environment values were admitted and then inherited by host command execution paths.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected:
<= 2026.2.19-2 - Fixed on
main:2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4 - Planned patched release version:
2026.2.21
Details
The fix hardens environment handling across all relevant execution paths:
- Blocks dangerous startup/runtime env keys and prefixes in shared host env sanitization.
- Sanitizes inherited ambient environment even when no per-request overrides are provided.
- Blocks dangerous config-driven env injection before values enter process environment.
- Uses the same sanitizer in macOS host execution paths.
- Aligns skill env override sanitization with the shared dangerous-env policy.
Impact
Medium. Exploitation requires local/privileged influence over configuration or environment inputs; there is no standalone remote unauthenticated trigger from this issue alone.
Fix Commit(s)
2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4
Release Process Note
patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.21). Once npm openclaw@2026.2.21 is published, the advisory can be published without further field edits.
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 | < 2026.2.21 | 2026.2.21 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- 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-w9cg-v44m-4qv8 - 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 affected by BASH_ENV / ENV startup-file injection into spawned shell commands this entry
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