Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms (CVE-2026-42435)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions from 2026.2.22 up to but not including 2026.4.12 have a vulnerability where shell-wrapper detection missed certain environment variable assignment injection forms in argv. This could affect execution semantics by allowing high-risk shell environment variables to be manipulated. The issue was fixed in version 2026.4.12 and later.
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The OpenClaw CLI had a flaw in its shell-wrapper detection mechanism that failed to identify environment variable assignments passed via argv forms. This gap allowed potentially dangerous shell environment variables such as SHELLOPTS and PS4 to be set in ways that could alter execution behavior. The fix, introduced in pull request #65717 and commit 8f8492d172f4c5b4fd7dd9a47855ed620c8770ab, broadens detection and blocks these injection forms, mitigating the risk.
Potential Impact
Affected versions could allow manipulation of shell environment variables during execution preflight handling, potentially altering execution semantics and introducing high-risk shell environment controls. This could lead to unintended command execution behavior or security policy bypasses related to shell environment variables.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users should upgrade to OpenClaw CLI version 2026.4.12 or newer. The fix is included starting from this version, with the latest npm release 2026.4.14 containing the patch. No additional mitigation is required once upgraded.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-42435
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac2459712601ec6a3165d1d
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:55 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:43:12 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:38 UTC
Views: 1
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