GHSA-48WF-G7CP-GR3M

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-03 18:00 – Updated: 2026-03-20 21:36
VLAI?
Summary
OpenClaw has allowlist exec-guard bypass via env -S
Details

Summary

In allowlist mode, system.run guardrails could be bypassed through env -S, causing policy-analysis/runtime-execution mismatch for shell wrapper payloads.

Severity Rationale (Medium)

This issue is rated medium because it is a guardrail/policy bypass in OpenClaw's trusted-operator model, not an authentication boundary break.

  • Authenticated Gateway callers are trusted operators by design.
  • exec approvals/allowlists are operator safety controls.
  • The bug still weakens expected safety behavior and can enable unintended command execution when untrusted content influences tool input.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Vulnerable versions: <= 2026.2.22-2
  • Patched versions: >= 2026.2.23

Latest published npm version checked during triage: 2026.2.22-2.

Technical Impact

When /usr/bin/env is allowlisted, env -S 'sh -c ...' could be treated as allowed non-wrapper argv while runtime still executes shell-wrapper semantics.

Fix Commit(s)

  • a1c4bf07c6baad3ef87a0e710fe9aef127b1f606 (core allowlist/runtime parity hardening)
  • 3f923e831364d83d0f23499ee49961de334cf58b (explicit env -S regressions)

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to >= 2026.2.23, so this advisory is now public.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

Severity ?
5.3 (Medium)
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "openclaw"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2026.2.23"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-31992"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-184",
      "CWE-193"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-03T18:00:06Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\nIn `allowlist` mode, `system.run` guardrails could be bypassed through `env -S`, causing policy-analysis/runtime-execution mismatch for shell wrapper payloads.\n\n### Severity Rationale (Medium)\nThis issue is rated **medium** because it is a guardrail/policy bypass in OpenClaw\u0027s trusted-operator model, not an authentication boundary break.\n\n- Authenticated Gateway callers are trusted operators by design.\n- `exec` approvals/allowlists are operator safety controls.\n- The bug still weakens expected safety behavior and can enable unintended command execution when untrusted content influences tool input.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Vulnerable versions: `\u003c= 2026.2.22-2`\n- Patched versions: `\u003e= 2026.2.23`\n\nLatest published npm version checked during triage: `2026.2.22-2`.\n\n### Technical Impact\nWhen `/usr/bin/env` is allowlisted, `env -S \u0027sh -c ...\u0027` could be treated as allowed non-wrapper argv while runtime still executes shell-wrapper semantics.\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `a1c4bf07c6baad3ef87a0e710fe9aef127b1f606` (core allowlist/runtime parity hardening)\n- `3f923e831364d83d0f23499ee49961de334cf58b` (explicit `env -S` regressions)\n\n### Release Process Note\n`patched_versions` is pre-set to `\u003e= 2026.2.23`, so this advisory is now public.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "id": "GHSA-48wf-g7cp-gr3m",
  "modified": "2026-03-20T21:36:21Z",
  "published": "2026-03-03T18:00:06Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-48wf-g7cp-gr3m"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-31992"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/3f923e831364d83d0f23499ee49961de334cf58b"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/a1c4bf07c6baad3ef87a0e710fe9aef127b1f606"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-allowlist-exec-guard-bypass-via-env-s"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "OpenClaw has allowlist exec-guard bypass via env -S"
}


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  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.



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