Vulnerability-Lookup

GHSA-2FGQ-7J6H-9RM4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-03 00:40 – Updated: 2026-03-30 13:19

Summary

OpenClaw has system.run shell-wrapper env injection via SHELLOPTS/PS4 can bypass allowlist intent (RCE)

Details

Summary

system.run allowed SHELLOPTS + PS4 environment injection to trigger command substitution during bash -lc xtrace expansion before the allowlisted command body executed.

Affected Packages / Versions

Package: openclaw (npm)
Affected: <= 2026.2.21-2 (includes latest published npm version at triage time)
Patched (planned next release): 2026.2.22

Impact

In allowlist mode, an attacker who can invoke system.run with request-scoped env could execute additional shell commands outside the intended allowlisted command body.

Root Cause

Host exec env sanitization blocked startup-file vectors (BASH_ENV, ENV, etc.) but did not block SHELLOPTS/PS4. For shell wrappers (bash|sh|zsh ... -c/-lc), request env overrides were passed through and bash evaluated PS4 under xtrace, enabling command substitution.

Fix

Block SHELLOPTS and PS4 in host exec env sanitizers (Node + macOS).
For shell wrappers (bash|sh|zsh ... -c/-lc), reduce request-scoped env overrides to an explicit allowlist (TERM, LANG, LC_*, COLORTERM, NO_COLOR, FORCE_COLOR).
Add regression tests for TS and macOS paths.

Fix Commit(s)

e80c803fa887f9699ad87a9e906ab5c1ff85bd9a

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.22). Once npm release 2026.2.22 is published, advisory publication is a final state action only.

Severity Rationale

This advisory is rated medium because exploitation requires a caller that can already invoke system.run with request-scoped env.

Under OpenClaw's documented trust model (SECURITY.md), authenticated Gateway callers are treated as trusted operators, and adversarial multi-operator / prompt-injection scenarios are out of scope.

The bug remains a real allowlist-intent bypass, but it does not cross a separate trust boundary in the documented deployment assumptions.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

Severity ?

6.6 (Medium)


                  
                    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

7.5 (High)


                  
                    CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Show details on source website

JSON

To clipboard

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "openclaw"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2026.2.22"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-32003"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-15",
      "CWE-78"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-03T00:40:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-03-19T22:16:32Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\n`system.run` allowed `SHELLOPTS` + `PS4` environment injection to trigger command substitution during `bash -lc` xtrace expansion before the allowlisted command body executed.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected: `\u003c= 2026.2.21-2` (includes latest published npm version at triage time)\n- Patched (planned next release): `2026.2.22`\n\n### Impact\nIn `allowlist` mode, an attacker who can invoke `system.run` with request-scoped `env` could execute additional shell commands outside the intended allowlisted command body.\n\n### Root Cause\nHost exec env sanitization blocked startup-file vectors (`BASH_ENV`, `ENV`, etc.) but did not block `SHELLOPTS`/`PS4`. For shell wrappers (`bash|sh|zsh ... -c/-lc`), request env overrides were passed through and `bash` evaluated `PS4` under `xtrace`, enabling command substitution.\n\n### Fix\n- Block `SHELLOPTS` and `PS4` in host exec env sanitizers (Node + macOS).\n- For shell wrappers (`bash|sh|zsh ... -c/-lc`), reduce request-scoped env overrides to an explicit allowlist (`TERM`, `LANG`, `LC_*`, `COLORTERM`, `NO_COLOR`, `FORCE_COLOR`).\n- Add regression tests for TS and macOS paths.\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `e80c803fa887f9699ad87a9e906ab5c1ff85bd9a`\n\n### Release Process Note\n`patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). Once npm release `2026.2.22` is published, advisory publication is a final state action only.\n\n### Severity Rationale\nThis advisory is rated **medium** because exploitation requires a caller that can already invoke `system.run` with request-scoped `env`.\n\nUnder OpenClaw\u0027s documented trust model (`SECURITY.md`), authenticated Gateway callers are treated as trusted operators, and adversarial multi-operator / prompt-injection scenarios are out of scope.\n\nThe bug remains a real allowlist-intent bypass, but it does not cross a separate trust boundary in the documented deployment assumptions.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "id": "GHSA-2fgq-7j6h-9rm4",
  "modified": "2026-03-30T13:19:17Z",
  "published": "2026-03-03T00:40:56Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-2fgq-7j6h-9rm4"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32003"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/e80c803fa887f9699ad87a9e906ab5c1ff85bd9a"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-remote-code-execution-via-shellopts-ps4-environment-injection-in-system-run"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "OpenClaw has system.run shell-wrapper env injection via SHELLOPTS/PS4 can bypass allowlist intent (RCE)"
}

CVE-2026-32003 (GCVE-0-2026-32003)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-03-19 22:06 – Updated: 2026-03-21 03:23 X_Open Source

Title

OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Remote Code Execution via SHELLOPTS/PS4 Environment Injection in system.run

Summary

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain an environment variable injection vulnerability in the system.run function that allows attackers to bypass command allowlist restrictions via SHELLOPTS and PS4 environment variables. An attacker who can invoke system.run with request-scoped environment variables can execute arbitrary shell commands outside the intended allowlisted command body through bash xtrace expansion.

Severity ?

7.5 (High)


                        
                          CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

6.6 (Medium)


                        
                          CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE

CWE-78 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (CWE-78)

Assigner

VulnCheck

References

URL

Tags

	https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/adv…	third-party-advisory
	https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/e80c8…	patch
	https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-rem…	third-party-advisory

Impacted products

	Vendor	Product	Version
	OpenClaw	OpenClaw	Affected: 0 , < 2026.2.22 (semver) Unaffected: 2026.2.22 (semver)

Date Public ?

2026-02-23 00:00

Credits

tdjackey

Show details on NVD website

JSON

To clipboard

{
  "containers": {
    "adp": [
      {
        "metrics": [
          {
            "other": {
              "content": {
                "id": "CVE-2026-32003",
                "options": [
                  {
                    "Exploitation": "none"
                  },
                  {
                    "Automatable": "no"
                  },
                  {
                    "Technical Impact": "total"
                  }
                ],
                "role": "CISA Coordinator",
                "timestamp": "2026-03-21T03:22:51.211319Z",
                "version": "2.0.3"
              },
              "type": "ssvc"
            }
          }
        ],
        "providerMetadata": {
          "dateUpdated": "2026-03-21T03:23:11.364Z",
          "orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
          "shortName": "CISA-ADP"
        },
        "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment"
      }
    ],
    "cna": {
      "affected": [
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "packageURL": "pkg:npm/openclaw",
          "product": "OpenClaw",
          "vendor": "OpenClaw",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "2026.2.22",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "status": "unaffected",
              "version": "2026.2.22",
              "versionType": "semver"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "cpeApplicability": [
        {
          "nodes": [
            {
              "cpeMatch": [
                {
                  "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*",
                  "versionEndExcluding": "2026.2.22",
                  "vulnerable": true
                }
              ],
              "operator": "OR"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "credits": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "type": "reporter",
          "value": "tdjackey"
        }
      ],
      "datePublic": "2026-02-23T00:00:00.000Z",
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain an environment variable injection vulnerability in the system.run function that allows attackers to bypass command allowlist restrictions via SHELLOPTS and PS4 environment variables. An attacker who can invoke system.run with request-scoped environment variables can execute arbitrary shell commands outside the intended allowlisted command body through bash xtrace expansion."
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV4_0": {
            "Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "Safety": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "attackComplexity": "HIGH",
            "attackRequirements": "NONE",
            "attackVector": "NETWORK",
            "baseScore": 7.5,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
            "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
            "subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
            "subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
            "version": "4.0",
            "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnIntegrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"
          },
          "format": "CVSS",
          "scenarios": [
            {
              "lang": "en",
              "value": "GENERAL"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
            "attackComplexity": "HIGH",
            "attackVector": "NETWORK",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "baseScore": 6.6,
            "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
            "scope": "UNCHANGED",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          },
          "format": "CVSS",
          "scenarios": [
            {
              "lang": "en",
              "value": "GENERAL"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-78",
              "description": "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command (\u0027OS Command Injection\u0027) (CWE-78)",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-03-19T22:06:43.856Z",
        "orgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
        "shortName": "VulnCheck"
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "name": "GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-2fgq-7j6h-9rm4)",
          "tags": [
            "third-party-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-2fgq-7j6h-9rm4"
        },
        {
          "name": "Patch Commit",
          "tags": [
            "patch"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/e80c803fa887f9699ad87a9e906ab5c1ff85bd9a"
        },
        {
          "name": "VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw \u003c 2026.2.22 - Remote Code Execution via SHELLOPTS/PS4 Environment Injection in system.run",
          "tags": [
            "third-party-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-remote-code-execution-via-shellopts-ps4-environment-injection-in-system-run"
        }
      ],
      "tags": [
        "x_open-source"
      ],
      "title": "OpenClaw \u003c 2026.2.22 - Remote Code Execution via SHELLOPTS/PS4 Environment Injection in system.run",
      "x_generator": {
        "engine": "vulncheck"
      }
    }
  },
  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
    "assignerShortName": "VulnCheck",
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-32003",
    "datePublished": "2026-03-19T22:06:43.856Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-03-10T19:48:13.664Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-03-21T03:23:11.364Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2"
}

Sightings

Author	Source	Type	Date

Nomenclature

Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.

Detection rules are retrieved from Rulezet.

Action not permitted

GHSA-2FGQ-7J6H-9RM4

Summary

Affected Packages / Versions

Impact

Root Cause

Fix

Fix Commit(s)

Release Process Note

Severity Rationale

CVE-2026-32003 (GCVE-0-2026-32003)

Tags

Sightings

Nomenclature