GHSA-P4WH-CR8M-GM6C

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-03 21:36 – Updated: 2026-03-18 21:50
VLAI?
Summary
OpenClaw: shell-env trusted-prefix fallback allowed attacker-controlled binary execution via $SHELL
Details

Summary

shell-env fallback trusted prefix-based executable paths for $SHELL, allowing execution of attacker-controlled binaries in local/runtime-env influence scenarios.

Details

In affected versions, shell selection accepted either: 1. a shell listed in /etc/shells, or 2. any executable under hardcoded trusted prefixes (/bin, /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin, /opt/homebrew/bin, /run/current-system/sw/bin).

The selected shell was then executed as a login shell (-l -c 'env -0') for PATH/environment probing.

On systems where a trusted-prefix directory is writable (for example common Homebrew layouts under /opt/homebrew/bin) and runtime $SHELL can be influenced, this enabled attacker-controlled binary execution in OpenClaw process context.

The fix removes the trusted-prefix executable fallback and now trusts only shells explicitly registered in /etc/shells; otherwise it falls back to /bin/sh.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Affected versions: >= 2026.2.22, <= 2026.2.22-2
  • Latest published vulnerable version: 2026.2.22-2
  • Patched versions (released): >= 2026.2.23

Fix Commit(s)

  • ff10fe8b91670044a6bb0cd85deb736a0ec8fb55

Release Process Note

This advisory sets patched_versions to the released version (2026.2.23). This advisory now reflects released fix version 2026.2.23.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

Severity ?
8.5 (High)
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
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{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "openclaw"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "2026.2.22"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2026.2.23"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-22217"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-184",
      "CWE-829"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-03T21:36:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-03-18T02:16:23Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\n`shell-env` fallback trusted prefix-based executable paths for `$SHELL`, allowing execution of attacker-controlled binaries in local/runtime-env influence scenarios.\n\n### Details\nIn affected versions, shell selection accepted either:\n1. a shell listed in `/etc/shells`, or\n2. any executable under hardcoded trusted prefixes (`/bin`, `/usr/bin`, `/usr/local/bin`, `/opt/homebrew/bin`, `/run/current-system/sw/bin`).\n\nThe selected shell was then executed as a login shell (`-l -c \u0027env -0\u0027`) for PATH/environment probing.\n\nOn systems where a trusted-prefix directory is writable (for example common Homebrew layouts under `/opt/homebrew/bin`) and runtime `$SHELL` can be influenced, this enabled attacker-controlled binary execution in OpenClaw process context.\n\nThe fix removes the trusted-prefix executable fallback and now trusts only shells explicitly registered in `/etc/shells`; otherwise it falls back to `/bin/sh`.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected versions: `\u003e= 2026.2.22, \u003c= 2026.2.22-2`\n- Latest published vulnerable version: `2026.2.22-2`\n- Patched versions (released): `\u003e= 2026.2.23`\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `ff10fe8b91670044a6bb0cd85deb736a0ec8fb55`\n\n### Release Process Note\nThis advisory sets `patched_versions` to the released version (`2026.2.23`).\nThis advisory now reflects released fix version `2026.2.23`.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "id": "GHSA-p4wh-cr8m-gm6c",
  "modified": "2026-03-18T21:50:28Z",
  "published": "2026-03-03T21:36:16Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-p4wh-cr8m-gm6c"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22217"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/ff10fe8b91670044a6bb0cd85deb736a0ec8fb55"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-binary-execution-via-shell-environment-variable-trusted-prefix-fallback"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "OpenClaw: shell-env trusted-prefix fallback allowed attacker-controlled binary execution via $SHELL"
}


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  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
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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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