CVE-2026-43531

Runtime manipulation via unfiltered workspace environment variables

Published May 5, 2026 · Updated May 5, 2026

Environment variable injection in OpenClaw before 2026.4.9 allows local users to alter runtime behavior through a malicious workspace .env file. The loadWorkspaceDotEnvFile path loaded repository-local keys into process.env without blocking runtime-control names for gateway routing, updates, ClawHub, browser paths, and skip controls. Exploitation requires a user to open or run OpenClaw in an attacker-controlled workspace, after which injected settings can redirect trusted connections, select attacker-chosen executables, or disable application functions.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Environment variable injection in OpenClaw before 2026.4.9 allows local users to alter runtime behavior through a malicious workspace .env file. The loadWorkspaceDotEnvFile path loaded repository-local keys into process.env without blocking runtime-control names for gateway routing, updates, ClawHub, browser paths, and skip controls. Exploitation requires a user to open or run OpenClaw in an attacker-controlled workspace, after which injected settings can redirect trusted connections, select attacker-chosen executables, or disable application functions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-43531
Published
May 5, 2026
Updated
May 5, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-15, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 5, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 5, 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 <2026.4.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.4.9

Published CVSS scores

8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.3VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/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.

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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-15External Control of System or Configuration Setting
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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