# CVE-2026-31996: OpenClaw < 2026.2.19 - safeBins stdin-only bypass via sort output and recursive grep flags

> Attackers can bypass stdin-only restrictions in OpenClaw to perform arbitrary file writes or recursive reads using specific command flags.

- **Severity:** Low 2.0 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Mar 2026
- **Updated:** 23 Jun 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4685-c5cp-vp95, MINI-hwq7-pf2v-f49m

## What is CVE-2026-31996?

CVE-2026-31996 is a low-severity command injection vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 19 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.19 tools.exec.safeBins contains an input validation bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to execute unintended filesystem operations through sort output flags or recursive grep flags. Attackers with command execution access can leverage sort -o flag for arbitrary file writes or grep -R flag for recursive file reads, circumventing intended stdin-only restrictions.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-31996?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.19 |
| `openclaw` | npm | All versions | 2026.2.19 |

Products: Openclaw Openclaw.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-31996?

Upgrade openclaw to 2026.2.19 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-31996 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-31996 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-2026-31996 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-31996 is a low-severity command injection vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw, published on 19 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-31996 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.19
- openclaw (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2026.2.19

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-2026-31996/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-31996/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31996
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-31996
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-31996

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-31996/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.