OpenClaw: strictInlineEval explicit-approval boundary bypassed by approval-timeout fallback on gateway and node exec
Affects openclawSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.7 High : upgrade to 2026.4.8 soon.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2026.4.8
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 28 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.4.8.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| npmopenclaw | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
## Impact strictInlineEval explicit-approval boundary bypassed by approval-timeout fallback on gateway and node exec hosts. The approval-timeout fallback could allow inline eval commands that strictInlineEval was meant to require explicit approval for. OpenClaw is a user-controlled local assistant. This advisory is scoped to the OpenClaw trust model and does not assume a multi-tenant service boundary. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `<=2026.4.2` - Patched versions: `2026.4.8` ## Fix The issue was fixed on `main` and is available in the patched npm version listed above. The verified fixed tree is commit `d7c3210cd6f5fdfdc1beff4c9541673e814354d5`. ## Verification The fix was re-checked against `main` before publication, including targeted regression tests for the affected security boundary. ## Credits Thanks @zsxsoft and @KeenSecurityLab for reporting.
References
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-q2gc-xjqw-qp89 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-42423 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/d7c3210cd6f5fdfdc1beff4c9541673e814354d5 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-strictinlineeval-approval-boundary-bypass-via-approval-timeout-fallback (opens in a new tab)