CVE-2026-55249 @rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite: OpenClaw Rewrite Plugin Command Injection via execSync Template String
Attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands by injecting shell metacharacters into the exec tool's command parameter via the RTK rewrite plugin.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-55249?
CVE-2026-55249 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in rtk-ai rtk, published on 23 Jun 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
@rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite transparently rewrites shell commands executed via OpenClaw's exec tool to their RTK equivalents. In 1.0.0, the @rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite OpenClaw plugin passes attacker-controlled input directly into a shell-backed execSync() template string without shell-safe escaping. JSON.stringify() wraps the value in double quotes and escapes inner double-quotes and backslashes, but leaves $() and backtick shell metacharacters untouched. Because execSync delegates execution to /bin/sh -c, the shell expands $(...) substitutions even inside double-quoted strings, causing the injected subcommand to execute before rtk is invoked. An attacker who can influence the exec tool's command parameter (e.g., via an LLM agent prompt or gateway/tool-call input) achieves arbitrary OS command execution with the privileges of the plugin/gateway process.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-55249?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Rtkai Rtk-Rewrite.
How do I fix CVE-2026-55249?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-55249 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-55249 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-55249 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-fqgj-m2gp-mr3q.