CVE-2026-28456: Openclaw OpenClaw Affected By Potential Code Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2026-28456 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.2) openclaw affected by potential code vulnerability (CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element) affecting Openclaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves openclaw affected by potential code execution via unsafe hook module path handling in gateway. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.14.
CVE-2026-28456 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.2
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2026-28456
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@2026.2.14Run 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-2026-28456, 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 2026.2.14), 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-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element, where the product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors. 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-2026-28456 Affected Openclaw Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
openclaw
|
npm |
≥ 2026.1.5
< 2026.2.14
|
2026.2.14
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-28456?
Which Openclaw versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-28456?
Is openclaw affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-28456?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-28456?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-28456?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-v6c6-vqqg-w888",
"modified" : "2026-03-06T00:59:44Z",
"published" : "2026-02-18T00:57:48Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-28456" ],
"summary" : "OpenClaw affected by potential code execution via unsafe hook module path handling in Gateway",
"details" : "## Summary\n\nOpenClaw Gateway supports hook mappings with optional JavaScript/TypeScript transform modules. In affected versions, the gateway did not sufficiently constrain configured module paths before passing them to dynamic `import()`. Under some configurations, a user who can modify gateway configuration could cause the gateway process to load and execute an unintended local module.\n\n## Impact\n\nPotential code execution in the OpenClaw gateway Node.js process.\n\nThis requires access that can modify gateway configuration (for example via the gateway config endpoints). Treat such access as high privilege.\n\n## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- npm package: `openclaw`\n- Affected: `>= 2026.1.5` and `<= 2026.2.13`\n\n## Patched Versions\n\n- `>= 2026.2.14`\n\n## Fix Commit(s)\n\n- `a0361b8ba959e8506dc79d638b6e6a00d12887e4` (restrict hook transform module loading)\n- `35c0e66ed057f1a9f7ad2515fdcef516bd6584ce` (harden hooks module loading)\n\n## Mitigation\n\n- Upgrade to `2026.2.14` or newer.\n- Avoid exposing gateway configuration endpoints to untrusted networks.\n- Review config for unsafe values:\n - `hooks.mappings[].transform.module`\n - `hooks.internal.handlers[].module`\n\nThanks @222n5 for reporting.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "openclaw"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2026.1.5"
}, {
"fixed" : "2026.2.14"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-v6c6-vqqg-w888"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28456"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/35c0e66ed057f1a9f7ad2515fdcef516bd6584ce"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/a0361b8ba959e8506dc79d638b6e6a00d12887e4"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.14"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-code-execution-via-unsafe-hook-module-path-handling"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22", "CWE-427" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-02-18T00:57:48Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-05T22:16:18Z"
}
}