GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg
OpenClaw's shell startup env injection bypasses system.run allowlist intent (RCE class)
Packages
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
### 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.
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-xgf2-vxv2-rrmg
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32056
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/c2c7114ed39a547ab6276e1e933029b9530ee906
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-remote-code-execution-via-shell-startup-environment-variable-injection-in-system-run