Openclaw cli: OpenClaw's exec allowlist wrapper analysis did not unwrap env/shell dispatch chains (CVE-2026-27566)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions up to 2026.2.21-2 contain a vulnerability in the exec allowlist wrapper analysis where wrapper binaries such as env or shell dispatch chains were not fully unwrapped. This flaw allows an attacker with permission to trigger system.run requests under an allowlist policy to bypass intended restrictions by smuggling payloads through these wrappers. 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
The OpenClaw CLI's system.run exec allowlist analysis treated wrapper binaries as the effective executable without fully unwrapping env or shell-dispatch wrappers. This allowed payloads wrapped in commands like 'env bash -lc ...' to bypass allowlist checks by satisfying the allowlist entry for the wrapper binary while executing non-allowlisted commands. The vulnerability affects versions up to and including 2026.2.21-2 and is patched in 2026.2.22.
Potential Impact
An attacker able to invoke system.run requests under an allowlist policy can bypass the intended allowlist restrictions by routing execution through wrapper binaries. This effectively allows execution of commands not explicitly allowed by the policy, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution within the context of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available in OpenClaw CLI version 2026.2.22 that fully unwraps env and shell-dispatch wrappers during exec allowlist analysis. Users should upgrade to version 2026.2.22 or later to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-27566
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac245cb12601ec6a3167f28
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:25:47 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 13:11:58 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:37 UTC
Views: 2
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