CVE-2026-53855
OpenClaw < 2026.4.2 - Shell Positional Parameters Bypass in Inline-Eval Checks
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
7.6
OpenClaw < 2026.4.2 - Shell Positional Parameters Bypass in Inline-Eval Checks
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
CVE-2026-53855- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-184, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-37157
7.6
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
EUVD-2026-37157- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-27pq-2ph8-8x25
7.6
Duplicate Advisory: Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
GHSA-27pq-2ph8-8x25- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-184
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77
7.6
OpenClaw: Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks
Summary
Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks. In affected versions, a command request that combines allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments could place inline-eval content in a shell carrier not covered by the strict check.
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 shell-provided content outside the intended allowlist rule. 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 2026.4.2.
Mitigations
avoid allowlisting shell carrier patterns and require approval for shell wrappers 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-5cj2-3jr2-5h77- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-78, CWE-269, CWE-284, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
7.6
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
CVE-2026-53855- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-184, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.6
OpenClaw < 2026.4.2 - Shell Positional Parameters Bypass in Inline-Eval Checks
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
CVE-2026-53855- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Weakness
- CWE-184, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-27pq-2ph8-8x25
7.6
Duplicate Advisory: Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weaken strict allowlist checks via shell positional parameters. Attackers can combine allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments to place inline-eval content in shell carriers outside intended allowlist rules, enabling execution of unapproved shell-provided content.
- Record
GHSA-27pq-2ph8-8x25- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-184
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77
7.6
OpenClaw: Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks
Summary
Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks. In affected versions, a command request that combines allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments could place inline-eval content in a shell carrier not covered by the strict check.
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 shell-provided content outside the intended allowlist rule. 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 2026.4.2.
Mitigations
avoid allowlisting shell carrier patterns and require approval for shell wrappers 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-5cj2-3jr2-5h77- CVSS 4.0
- 7.6 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-269, CWE-284, CWE-78, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openclawnpm |
before 2026.4.2 | 2026.4.2 |
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-2026-53855 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.6) in Openclaw, published June 16, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.26%, the 17th percentile. Fixed in openclaw 2026.4.2.
References
github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77
vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-shell-positional-parameters-bypass-in-inline-eval-checks
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53855
github.com/advisories/GHSA-27pq-2ph8-8x25
github.com/advisories/GHSA-5cj2-3jr2-5h77
github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/53xxx/CVE-2026-53855.json
github.com/openclaw/openclaw