# CVE-2026-28470: OpenClaw < 2026.2.2 - Exec Allowlist Bypass via Command Substitution in Double Quotes

> Attackers can bypass exec allowlists in OpenClaw to execute arbitrary commands via command substitution in double-quoted strings.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.2 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Mar 2026
- **Updated:** 22 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3hcm-ggvf-rch5

## What is CVE-2026-28470?

CVE-2026-28470 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 5 Mar 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.2 contain an exec approvals (must be enabled) allowlist bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands by injecting command substitution syntax. Attackers can bypass the allowlist protection by embedding unescaped $() or backticks inside double-quoted strings to execute unauthorized commands.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-28470?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including openclaw. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.2 |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.2 |

Products: Openclaw Openclaw.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-28470?

Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.2 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-28470 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-28470 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Openclaw Openclaw

- [CVE-2026-28363](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28363/): Security feature bypass in OpenClaw (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2026-30741](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-30741/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-33579](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33579/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.28 - Privilege Escalation via Missing Caller Scope Validation in Device Pair Approval (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2026-32922](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-32922/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.11 - Privilege Escalation via Unvalidated Scope in device.token.rotate (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2026-32978](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-32978/): OpenClaw < 2026.3.11 - Approval Bypass via Unrecognized Script Runners (critical 9.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-28470 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-28470 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 5 Mar 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-28470 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.2
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.2

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28470/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28470/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-28470
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28470
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-28470

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28470/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.