CVE-2026-22217: OpenClaw Shell-env Trusted-prefix Fallback Allowed Attacker-controlled Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2026-22217 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.1) shell-env trusted-prefix fallback allowed attacker-controlled vulnerability (CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere) affecting OpenClaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves shell-env trusted-prefix fallback allowed attacker-controlled binary execution via $shell. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.23.
CVE-2026-22217 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 6.1
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L).
How to Fix CVE-2026-22217
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.
npm install openclaw@2026.2.23Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls openclawHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-22217, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls openclawAnalyze 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 2026.2.23), 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-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere, where the product imports, requires, or includes executable functionality (such as a library) from a source that is outside of the intended control sphere. 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
CVE-2026-22217 Affected OpenClaw Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
openclaw
|
npm |
≥ 2026.2.22
< 2026.2.23
|
2026.2.23
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-22217?
Which OpenClaw versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-22217?
Is openclaw affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-22217?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-22217?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-22217?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-p4wh-cr8m-gm6c",
"modified" : "2026-06-08T23:24:01Z",
"published" : "2026-03-03T21:36:16Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-22217" ],
"summary" : "OpenClaw: shell-env trusted-prefix fallback allowed attacker-controlled binary execution via $SHELL",
"details" : "### Summary\n`shell-env` fallback trusted prefix-based executable paths for `$SHELL`, allowing execution of attacker-controlled binaries in local/runtime-env influence scenarios.\n\n### Details\nIn affected versions, shell selection accepted either:\n1. a shell listed in `/etc/shells`, or\n2. any executable under hardcoded trusted prefixes (`/bin`, `/usr/bin`, `/usr/local/bin`, `/opt/homebrew/bin`, `/run/current-system/sw/bin`).\n\nThe selected shell was then executed as a login shell (`-l -c 'env -0'`) for PATH/environment probing.\n\nOn systems where a trusted-prefix directory is writable (for example common Homebrew layouts under `/opt/homebrew/bin`) and runtime `$SHELL` can be influenced, this enabled attacker-controlled binary execution in OpenClaw process context.\n\nThe fix removes the trusted-prefix executable fallback and now trusts only shells explicitly registered in `/etc/shells`; otherwise it falls back to `/bin/sh`.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Affected versions: `>= 2026.2.22, <= 2026.2.22-2`\n- Latest published vulnerable version: `2026.2.22-2`\n- Patched versions (released): `>= 2026.2.23`\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `ff10fe8b91670044a6bb0cd85deb736a0ec8fb55`\n\n### Release Process Note\nThis advisory sets `patched_versions` to the released version (`2026.2.23`).\nThis advisory now reflects released fix version `2026.2.23`.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "openclaw"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2026.2.22"
}, {
"fixed" : "2026.2.23"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-p4wh-cr8m-gm6c"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22217"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/ff10fe8b91670044a6bb0cd85deb736a0ec8fb55"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-binary-execution-via-shell-environment-variable-trusted-prefix-fallback"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-184", "CWE-829" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-03T21:36:16Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-18T02:16:23Z"
}
}