CVE-2026-53846

Local package-manager execution via npm_execpath override

Published Jun 16, 2026 · Updated Jun 16, 2026

Path traversal in OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 allows local users to run unintended package-manager executables during dependency setup. The install helper loads npm_execpath from a workspace .env file and uses that attacker-controlled path to select the executable for bundled runtime dependency installation. Exploitation requires a trusted operator to open an attacker-controlled workspace while the affected dependency-install feature is enabled and reachable.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Path traversal in OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 allows local users to run unintended package-manager executables during dependency setup. The install helper loads npm_execpath from a workspace .env file and uses that attacker-controlled path to select the executable for bundled runtime dependency installation. Exploitation requires a trusted operator to open an attacker-controlled workspace while the affected dependency-install feature is enabled and reachable.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-53846
Published
Jun 16, 2026
Updated
Jun 16, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-426, T1204.002
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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2026.4.29

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.4.29

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.

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-426Untrusted Search Path
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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo