What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-28391?

CVE-2026-28391 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.1%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-28391?

Within 24 hours: Identify all OpenClaw instances running versions prior to 2026.2.2 and audit which systems have allowlist-gated exec enabled. Within 7 days: Apply vendor patch to upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.2.2 or later across all affected systems. Within 30 days: Conduct post-patch validation testing and review all exec request logs for suspicious activity dating back 90 days.

Openclaw CVE-2026-28391

CRITICAL

OS Command Injection (CWE-78)

2026-03-05 disclosure@vulncheck.com

GHSA-qj77-c3c8-9c3q

Windows Openclaw

9.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

Access

Craft command string with Windows metacharacters
Exploit

Submit exec request to allowlist-gated endpoint
Execution

Bypass validation filter
Impact

Execute unapproved commands on system

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-78 OWASP Top 10:2025 A05:2025 - Injection ASVS 5.0 V1 - Encoding and Sanitization OS command sanitization, avoid shell exec MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 1 tactic: Execution The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Exploitation Conditions	OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.2 with non-default allowlist-gated exec request configuration enabled. Attacker must have network access to the exec endpoint but requires no authentication or user interaction.
Impact	CVSS 9.8.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	Inject Windows commands bypassing whitelist.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: CRITICAL severity.

Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Windows cmd.exe metacharacter injection in OpenClaw before 2026.2.2. Bypass exec whitelist. Patch available.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 22:06 CVSS 9.8

Windows command injection in OpenClaw.

RemediationAI

Update.

Affected Packages

npm openclaw fix: 2026.2.2

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in npm

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

CWE-78.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.8 CRITICAL

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Patch released

Mar 10, 2026 - 18:18 nvd

Patch available

CVE Published

Mar 05, 2026 - 22:16 nvd

CRITICAL 9.8

DescriptionCVE.org

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.2 fail to properly validate Windows cmd.exe metacharacters in allowlist-gated exec requests (non-default configuration), allowing attackers to bypass command approval restrictions. Remote attackers can craft command strings with shell metacharacters like & or %...% to execute unapproved commands beyond the allowlisted operations.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-28391 is a critical command injection vulnerability in OpenClaw that allows attackers to bypass security approval workflows in non-default configurations, potentially enabling unauthorized command execution on affected systems. Organizations using OpenClaw's allowlist-gated exec feature are at immediate risk of privilege escalation and lateral movement if exploited.

Business Impact: Severe

Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching cannot be completed immediately: disable allowlist-gated exec feature in non-production environments until patch is applied; restrict network access to OpenClaw instances using firewall rules; implement enhanced logging and alerting on exec requests; require manual approval escalation for all exec commands.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.1%

Top 78% exploitable

Data Quality

4 sources

Confidence: Medium

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

GitHub

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity CRITICAL

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 0.1%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

CRITICAL severity

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.