CVE-2026-42435: OpenClaw Shell-wrapper Detection Missed Env-argv Assignment Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9
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CWE-78
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-42435 is a MODERATE shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment vulnerability (CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')) affecting OpenClaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.4.12.

CVE-2026-42435 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-42435
GHSA Identifier GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Affected Product OpenClaw
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-42435

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected OpenClaw dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

openclaw fixed: 2026.4.12 
npm install openclaw@2026.4.12
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls openclaw

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-42435, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls openclaw

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of OpenClaw in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2026.4.12), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls openclaw command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an os command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended os command when it is sent to a downstream component. In OpenClaw, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

## Summary Shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` - Ecosystem: npm - Affected versions: `>= 2026.2.22 < 2026.4.12` - Patched versions: `>= 2026.4.12` ## Impact Exec preflight handling missed shell-wrapper and argv-level environment assignment forms that could affect execution semantics, including high-risk shell environment controls. ## Technical Details The fix broadens shell-wrapper detection and blocks environment assignments in argv forms. High-risk shell variables such as `SHELLOPTS` and `PS4` are covered by the host environment security policy. ## Fix The issue was fixed in #65717. The first stable tag containing the fix is `v2026.4.12`, and `openclaw@2026.4.14` includes the fix. ## Fix Commit(s) - `8f8492d172f4c5b4fd7dd9a47855ed620c8770ab` - PR: #65717 ## Release Process Note Users should upgrade to `openclaw` 2026.4.12 or newer. The latest npm release, `2026.4.14`, already includes the fix. ## Credits Thanks to @decsecre583 for reporting this issue.

CVE-2026-42435 Affected OpenClaw Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2026.4.12
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
openclaw
npm/openclaw
npm
≥ 2026.2.22
< 2026.4.12
2026.4.12

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9
OpenClaw Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/65717
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/8f8492d172f4c5b4fd7dd9a47855ed620c8770ab
OpenClaw Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-42435?
CVE-2026-42435 is a security vulnerability in OpenClaw involving Shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection').
Which OpenClaw versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2026.4.12 across affected packages: openclaw.
What version fixes CVE-2026-42435?
Upgrading to 2026.4.12 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is openclaw affected?
Yes, openclaw is affected in releases prior to 2026.4.12. Upgrade your dependency to 2026.4.12 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-42435?
CVE-2026-42435 is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-42435?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls openclaw'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9",
  "modified" : "2026-05-05T11:48:45Z",
  "published" : "2026-04-17T21:53:36Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-42435" ],
  "summary" : "OpenClaw: Shell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms",
  "details" : "## Summary\n\nShell-wrapper detection missed env-argv assignment injection forms.\n\n## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- Package: `openclaw`\n- Ecosystem: npm\n- Affected versions: `>= 2026.2.22 < 2026.4.12`\n- Patched versions: `>= 2026.4.12`\n\n## Impact\n\nExec preflight handling missed shell-wrapper and argv-level environment assignment forms that could affect execution semantics, including high-risk shell environment controls.\n\n## Technical Details\n\nThe fix broadens shell-wrapper detection and blocks environment assignments in argv forms. High-risk shell variables such as `SHELLOPTS` and `PS4` are covered by the host environment security policy.\n\n## Fix\n\nThe issue was fixed in #65717. The first stable tag containing the fix is `v2026.4.12`, and `openclaw@2026.4.14` includes the fix.\n\n## Fix Commit(s)\n\n- `8f8492d172f4c5b4fd7dd9a47855ed620c8770ab`\n- PR: #65717\n\n## Release Process Note\n\nUsers should upgrade to `openclaw` 2026.4.12 or newer. The latest npm release, `2026.4.14`, already includes the fix.\n\n## Credits\n\nThanks to @decsecre583 for reporting this issue.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "openclaw"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2026.2.22"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2026.4.12"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/65717"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/8f8492d172f4c5b4fd7dd9a47855ed620c8770ab"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-78" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-04-17T21:53:36Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}