OpenClaw's system.run allowlist approval parsing missed PowerShell encoded-command wrappers
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-863.
Summary
OpenClaw's `system.run` shell-wrapper detection did not recognize PowerShell `-EncodedCommand` forms as inline-command wrappers. In `allowlist` mode, a caller with access to `system.run` could invoke `pwsh` or `powershell` using `-EncodedCommand`, `-enc`, or `-e`, and the request would fall back to plain argv analysis instead of the normal shell-wrapper approval path. This could allow a PowerShell inline payload to execute without the approval step that equivalent `-Command` invocations would require. Latest published npm version: `2026.3.2` Fixed on `main` on March 7, 2026 in `1d1757b16f48f1a93cd16ab0ad7e2c3c63ce727d` by recognizing PowerShell encoded-command aliases during shell-wrapper parsing, so allowlist mode continues to require approval for those payloads. Normal approved PowerShell wrapper flows continue to work. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `<= 2026.3.2` - Patched version: `>= 2026.3.7` ## Fix Commit(s) - `1d1757b16f48f1a93cd16ab0ad7e2c3c63ce727d` ## Release Process Note npm `2026.3.7` was published on March 8, 2026. This advisory is fixed in the released package. 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 2026.3.7 | 2026.3.7 | Patch available | GHSA-3h2q-j2v4-6w5r |
- openclaw (npm) Vendor— Affected before 2026.3.7 Fixed in 2026.3.7 Patch available GHSA-3h2q-j2v4-6w5r
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-3h2q-j2v4-6w5r openclaw (npm) Fixed in 2026.3.7 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-3h2q-j2v4-6w5r
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences