CVE-2026-41396

Code execution via workspace trust-root override

Published Apr 28, 2026 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Configuration injection in OpenClaw before 2026.3.31 allows attackers to execute malicious plugins through a crafted workspace .env file. Workspace dotenv loading accepts OPENCLAW_BUNDLED_PLUGINS_DIR and replaces the packaged plugin trust root with an attacker-selected directory. Exploitation requires control of a workspace that is subsequently loaded, after which plugin code runs with the OpenClaw process's access.

CVSS severity8.5
High
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

Configuration injection in OpenClaw before 2026.3.31 allows attackers to execute malicious plugins through a crafted workspace .env file. Workspace dotenv loading accepts OPENCLAW_BUNDLED_PLUGINS_DIR and replaces the packaged plugin trust root with an attacker-selected directory. Exploitation requires control of a workspace that is subsequently loaded, after which plugin code runs with the OpenClaw process's access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-41396
Published
Apr 28, 2026
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-829, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 28, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 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=0 <2026.3.31

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.3.31

Published CVSS scores

7.8VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.5VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
T1204.002Malicious File

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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