CVE-2026-53846
OpenClaw < 2026.4.29 - Arbitrary Package Manager Execution via Workspace .env npm_execpath
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Active
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
OpenClaw < 2026.4.29 - Arbitrary Package Manager Execution via Workspace .env npm_execpath
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
CVE-2026-53846- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS: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 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-37148
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
EUVD-2026-37148- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf
OpenClaw: Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install
Summary
Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install. In affected versions, a workspace .env in a repository opened by a trusted operator could override the package-manager executable path used by the install helper.
This advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed.
Impact
When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could run an unintended local package-manager executable during dependency setup. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path.
Patched Versions
The first stable patched version is 2026.4.29.
Mitigations
install bundled runtime dependencies from trusted workspaces until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.
- Record
GHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS: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 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-qp5j-jr73-m2pw
Duplicate Advisory: Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
GHSA-qp5j-jr73-m2pw- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS: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 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
CVE-2026-53846- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
OpenClaw < 2026.4.29 - Arbitrary Package Manager Execution via Workspace .env npm_execpath
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
CVE-2026-53846- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf
OpenClaw: Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install
Summary
Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install. In affected versions, a workspace .env in a repository opened by a trusted operator could override the package-manager executable path used by the install helper.
This advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed.
Impact
When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could run an unintended local package-manager executable during dependency setup. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path.
Patched Versions
The first stable patched version is 2026.4.29.
Mitigations
install bundled runtime dependencies from trusted workspaces until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.
- Record
GHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS: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 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-qp5j-jr73-m2pw
Duplicate Advisory: Workspace .env npm_execpath could influence bundled runtime dependency install
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
- Record
GHSA-qp5j-jr73-m2pw- CVSS 4.0
- 7.0 High
CVSS: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 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openclawnpm |
before 2026.4.29 | 2026.4.29 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected | ||
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2026-53846 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.0) in Openclaw, published June 16, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.12%, the 1st percentile. Fixed in openclaw 2026.4.29.
References
github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-24vr-rprv-67rf
vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-package-manager-execution-via-workspace-env-npm-execpath
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53846