CVE-2026-43531: Workspace .env could inject OpenClaw runtime-control variables
Affects openclawSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.0 High : upgrade to 2026.4.9 soon.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2026.4.9
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 5 May 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 2026.4.9.
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
## Summary Workspace .env could inject OpenClaw runtime-control variables. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` - Ecosystem: npm - Affected versions: `< 2026.4.9` - Patched versions: `>= 2026.4.9` ## Impact A malicious workspace `.env` file could set OpenClaw runtime-control variables affecting update sources, gateway URLs, ClawHub resolution, browser executable paths, and related behavior. ## Technical Details The fix blocks OpenClaw runtime-control keys and key families from workspace `.env` loading. ## Fix The issue was fixed in #62660. The first stable tag containing the fix is `v2026.4.9`, and `openclaw@2026.4.14` includes the fix. ## Fix Commit(s) - `dbfcef319618158fa40b31cdac386ea34c392c0c` - PR: #62660 ## Release Process Note Users should upgrade to `openclaw` 2026.4.9 or newer. The latest npm release, `2026.4.14`, already includes the fix. ## Credits Thanks to @zsxsoft, with sponsorship from @KeenSecurityLab for reporting this issue.
References
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-7wv4-cc7p-jhxc (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43531 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/62660 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/dbfcef319618158fa40b31cdac386ea34c392c0c (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-workspace-env-file (opens in a new tab)