Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Lower-trust background runtime output is injected into trusted `System:` events, and local async exec completion misses the intended `exec-event` downgrade
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions up to 2026.4.2 have a vulnerability where lower-trust background runtime output is incorrectly injected into trusted System events. This flaw allows potentially untrusted output to be promoted to trusted status, enabling prompt injection into subsequent agent operations. The issue affects the OpenClaw trust model in a local assistant context and does not involve multi-tenant service boundaries. A patch is available in version 2026.4.8.
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The OpenClaw CLI suffers from a trust boundary violation where lower-trust background runtime output is injected into trusted 'System:' events. Additionally, local asynchronous execution completion fails to apply the intended 'exec-event' downgrade, allowing lower-trust runtime output to be promoted into trusted System events. This can lead to prompt injection attacks in later agent turns. The vulnerability affects versions up to 2026.4.2 and was fixed in version 2026.4.8, with the fix verified in commit d7c3210cd6f5fdfdc1beff4c9541673e814354d5.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows lower-trust runtime or background output to be treated as trusted System events, which can enable prompt injection attacks in subsequent agent interactions. This compromises the integrity of the trust model within the OpenClaw local assistant environment. There is no indication of multi-tenant or cloud service impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available and has been released in OpenClaw CLI version 2026.4.8. Users should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. The fix has been verified with targeted regression tests. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-GHSA-gfmx-pph7-g46x
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac2458512601ec6a3164087
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:37 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:31:20 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 12:31:20 UTC
Views: 2
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