OpenClaw affected by BASH_ENV / ENV startup-file injection into spawned shell commands
Key facts
- Attack vector
- —
- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
- —
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- —
- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-78.
Summary
### 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 `[email protected]` is published, the advisory can be published without further field edits. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | openclaw (npm) | before 2026.2.21 | 2026.2.21 | Patch available | GHSA-w9cg-v44m-4qv8 |
- openclaw (npm) Vendor— Affected before 2026.2.21 Fixed in 2026.2.21 Patch available GHSA-w9cg-v44m-4qv8
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-w9cg-v44m-4qv8 openclaw (npm) Fixed in 2026.2.21 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-w9cg-v44m-4qv8
References
Sources
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