Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.20 fails to properly reserve the OPENCLAW_ runtime-control environment namespace in workspace dotenv files, allowing attackers to override critical runtime variables. Malicious workspaces can set variables like OPENCLAW_GIT_DIR to manipulate trusted OpenClaw runtime behavior during source-update or installer flows.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenClaw | OpenClaw | < 2026.4.20 | 2026.4.20 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npm | openclaw | < 2026.4.20 | 2026.4.20 | GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3 |
Advisories 1
- WID-SEC-2026-1253 OpenClaw: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · May 11, 2026
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3) vendor-advisory
- Patch Commit patch
- VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw < 2026.4.20 - Environment Variable Namespace Collision via Workspace dotenv third-party-advisory