CVE-2026-53842

Code execution via workspace-selected Python runtime

Published Jun 16, 2026 · Updated Jun 16, 2026

Environment variable injection in OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 allows attackers with repository access to execute an unintended Python runtime. During Gmail setup, the gcloud launcher accepts CLOUDSDK_PYTHON from a workspace .env file and uses its attacker-selected local path as the interpreter. Execution requires a trusted operator to open the repository and run the affected Gmail setup feature, giving the repository author code execution in that operator's context.

CVSS severity7.0
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

Environment variable injection in OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 allows attackers with repository access to execute an unintended Python runtime. During Gmail setup, the gcloud launcher accepts CLOUDSDK_PYTHON from a workspace .env file and uses its attacker-selected local path as the interpreter. Execution requires a trusted operator to open the repository and run the affected Gmail setup feature, giving the repository author code execution in that operator's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-53842
Published
Jun 16, 2026
Updated
Jun 16, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-426, T1574
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 16, 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 <2026.5.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.5.2

Published CVSS scores

7.1VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
7.0VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-426Untrusted Search Path
T1574Hijack Execution Flow

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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