Openclaw cli: OpenClaw has macOS `system.run` allowlist bypass via quoted command substitution (CVE-2026-22179)
Description
OpenClaw CLI on macOS has a vulnerability in its system.run allowlist parsing when using security=allowlist mode. The flaw allows command substitution tokens inside double-quoted shell text to bypass the allowlist, enabling execution of non-allowlisted commands. This can lead to unintended command execution on the node host if certain conditions are met, such as using macOS node-host path with security=allowlist and an allowlisted benign executable in a shell wrapper. The issue is fixed in version 2026.2.22.
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
In OpenClaw's macOS node-host path, the system.run allowlist parsing in security=allowlist mode fails to reject command substitution tokens inside double-quoted shell text. This allows payloads like echo "ok $(id)" to be treated as allowlist hits based on the first executable token (echo) while still executing non-allowlisted subcommands via shell substitution. The vulnerability requires opting into security=allowlist mode on macOS node-host path and affects versions up to and including 2026.2.21-2. The issue is patched in version 2026.2.22.
Potential Impact
This vulnerability allows an approval or authorization bypass in allowlist mode, potentially leading to unintended command execution on the macOS node host. An attacker can execute commands not present in the allowlist by embedding them in shell command substitutions within double-quoted strings, circumventing the intended security controls.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in OpenClaw version 2026.2.22 and later; users should upgrade to this version once released. As a temporary mitigation, users can set ask mode to always or set security mode to deny to prevent exploitation until the patch is applied.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-22179
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac245d112601ec6a3167ffe
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:25:53 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 13:15:01 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:36 UTC
Views: 2
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