Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Workspace .env could inject OpenClaw runtime-control variables (CVE-2026-43531)
Description
A vulnerability in openclaw-cli allows a malicious workspace .env file to inject runtime-control variables. This can affect update sources, gateway URLs, ClawHub resolution, browser executable paths, and related behaviors. The issue is fixed in openclaw version 2026.4.9 and later.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The openclaw-cli package versions prior to 2026.4.9 allow a workspace .env file to inject OpenClaw runtime-control variables. This injection can manipulate critical runtime settings such as update sources, gateway URLs, ClawHub resolution, and browser executable paths. The vulnerability was addressed by blocking runtime-control keys and key families from being loaded from workspace .env files. The fix was introduced in pull request #62660 and included starting with version 2026.4.9.
Potential Impact
An attacker controlling a workspace .env file can influence OpenClaw runtime behavior, potentially redirecting update sources, altering gateway URLs, affecting ClawHub resolution, and changing browser executable paths. This can lead to high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system as indicated by the CVSS score of 8.8.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users should upgrade openclaw-cli to version 2026.4.9 or later. The latest npm release 2026.4.14 includes the fix. This update blocks injection of runtime-control variables from workspace .env files, mitigating the vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-43531
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ac2459512601ec6a3165cac
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:53 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:42:31 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:38 UTC
Views: 2
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