Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: TOCTOU read in exec script preflight (CVE-2026-43529)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions prior to 2026.4.10 contain a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in the exec script preflight validator. The validator first validates a script's pathname and then reads the script file by that pathname, allowing an attacker with write access to the workspace path to swap the file between validation and read. This can cause the preflight analysis to inspect a different file than the one originally validated. The impact is limited to derived preflight content exposure and requires local write access to the workspace path. The issue is fixed in version 2026.4.10 by replacing the check-then-read flow with an atomic pinned file descriptor open and read, ensuring the file identity is consistent during validation and reading.
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
OpenClaw's exec script preflight validator previously performed separate validation and reading of a script file by mutable pathname, leading to a TOCTOU race condition (CVE-2026-43529). An attacker with write access to the workspace path could replace the target file after validation but before reading, causing the preflight analysis to operate on a different file identity than the one validated. The impact is limited as only derived preflight content (e.g., matched tokens, line numbers) could be exposed, and exploitation requires local write capability. The vulnerability was fixed in version 2026.4.10 by using a pinned safe-open/read path that verifies the file identity atomically, eliminating the race window.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows a local attacker with write access to the workspace path to cause the preflight validator to analyze a different file than the one originally validated, potentially exposing limited derived preflight content such as matched tokens or line numbers. It does not allow arbitrary full-file disclosure or remote exploitation. The impact is therefore limited and requires local workspace write privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in OpenClaw version 2026.4.10 and later. Users should upgrade to version 2026.4.10 or newer to eliminate the TOCTOU race condition in the exec script preflight validator. The fix replaces the vulnerable check-then-read flow with an atomic pinned file descriptor open and read, ensuring consistent file identity during validation and reading.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-43529
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac2459712601ec6a3165d16
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:55 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:42:37 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:38 UTC
Views: 2
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