CVE-2026-22217

Local code execution via trusted-prefix shell fallback

Published Mar 18, 2026 · Updated Mar 18, 2026

Code execution in OpenClaw 2026.2.22 through 2026.2.22-2 allows local users to run attacker-controlled binaries through SHELL. The shell-env fallback accepts any executable beneath hardcoded trusted prefixes and launches it as a login shell to collect environment data. Exploitation requires influence over the process SHELL value and write access to a trusted-prefix directory, and the binary runs in the OpenClaw process context.

CVSS severity5.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in OpenClaw 2026.2.22 through 2026.2.22-2 allows local users to run attacker-controlled binaries through SHELL. The shell-env fallback accepts any executable beneath hardcoded trusted prefixes and launches it as a login shell to collect environment data. Exploitation requires influence over the process SHELL value and write access to a trusted-prefix directory, and the binary runs in the OpenClaw process context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-22217
Published
Mar 18, 2026
Updated
Mar 18, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-829, T1059.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 18, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2026.2.22 <2026.2.23

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=2026.2.22 <2026.2.23

Published CVSS scores

6.1VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L
5.8VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
T1059.004Unix Shell

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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