CVE-2026-42435 OpenClaw 2026.2.22 < 2026.4.12 - Shell-Wrapper Detection Bypass via Environment Variable Assignment Injection
Attackers can bypass shell-wrapper detection by injecting environment variables, potentially manipulating execution semantics and security controls in OpenClaw.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-42435?
CVE-2026-42435 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in OpenClaw, published on 5 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
OpenClaw versions from 2026.2.22 before 2026.4.12 contain an insufficient shell-wrapper detection vulnerability allowing attackers to inject environment variable assignments at the argv level. Attackers can bypass exec preflight handling to manipulate high-risk shell variables like SHELLOPTS and PS4, affecting execution semantics and security controls.
Weakness: CWE-184
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-42435?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including openclaw.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
openclaw npm | From 2026.2.22 | 2026.4.12 |
openclaw npm | From 2026.2.22 | 2026.4.12 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-42435?
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.4.12 or later.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-42435 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-42435 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-j6c7-3h5x-99g9, MINI-8mw4-xhxg-c8g3.