Openclaw
CVE-2026-28463
HIGH
GHSA-xvhf-x56f-2hpp
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessCraft command with glob patterns or environment variables
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ExploitBypass allowlist validation on unexpanded argv tokens
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ExecutionExecute shell expansion during runtime
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ImpactRead arbitrary files via safe binaries like head/tail/grep
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
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. |
| Exploitation Conditions | OpenClaw exec-approvals feature with host execution enabled in allowlist mode; attacker must be authorized caller or inject commands via prompt injection; gateway or node process must have read permissions on target files |
| Impact | CVSS 8.4 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. Exploitable via local access. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
OpenClaw's exec-approvals feature validates command allowlists before shell expansion but fails to account for expansion during actual execution, enabling authorized users or attackers performing prompt injection to read arbitrary files through glob patterns and environment variables. This arbitrary file disclosure affects systems with host execution enabled in allowlist mode, potentially exposing sensitive data accessible to the gateway or node process. A patch is available to address this command injection vulnerability.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
OpenClaw exec-approvals allowlist validation checks pre-expansion argv tokens but execution uses real shell expansion, allowing safe bins like head, tail, or grep to read arbitrary local files via glob patterns or environment variables. [CVSS 8.4 HIGH]
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately.
Affected Packages
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
Classified as CWE-78 (OS Command Injection). Affects Openclaw. OpenClaw exec-approvals allowlist validation checks pre-expansion argv tokens but execution uses real shell expansion, allowing safe bins like head, tail, or grep to read arbitrary local files via glob patterns or environment variables. Authorized callers or prompt-injection attacks can exploit this to disclose files readable by the gateway or node process when host execution is enabled in allowlist mode.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
OpenClaw exec-approvals allowlist validation checks pre-expansion argv tokens but execution uses real shell expansion, allowing safe bins like head, tail, or grep to read arbitrary local files via glob patterns or environment variables. Authorized callers or prompt-injection attacks can exploit this to disclose files readable by the gateway or node process when host execution is enabled in allowlist mode.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-28463 allows attackers to read arbitrary files on systems running vulnerable OpenClaw versions by bypassing security allowlists through shell expansion techniques. This affects any organization using OpenClaw for execution approval workflows and could expose sensitive configuration files, credentials, and business data to unauthorized access.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
OS command injection occurs when an application passes unsanitized user input directly into system shell commands.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
Related Vulnerabilities in OpenClaw Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
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OpenClaw versions 2026.2.22 through 2026.2.24 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated att
An authorization mismatch vulnerability in OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.1 allows authenticated users with operator.
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.1.29 automatically establish WebSocket connections to attacker-controlled gateway URLs e
Path traversal in OpenClaw through version 2026.3.23 enables unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files in
Authentication bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.5.3 allows remote attackers with low privileges to receive agent responses
Directory-context bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.8.1 allows authenticated attackers with user interaction to reuse an 'a
Unauthenticated access to the noVNC observer interface in OpenClaw's Docker sandbox browser allows anyone who can reach
OpenClaw versions before 2026.2.26 allow authenticated attackers to write arbitrary files outside the workspace director
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain a shell environment variable injection vulnerability in the system.run func
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 contain a resource exhaustion vulnerability where the application fails to consiste
Exploit-DB