CVE-2026-53865
OpenClaw < 2026.5.2 - Arbitrary Command Execution via Workspace-Derived Service PATH
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- 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
OpenClaw < 2026.5.2 - Arbitrary Command Execution via Workspace-Derived Service PATH
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
CVE-2026-53865- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-37167
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
EUVD-2026-37167- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/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-2w22-3f6x-3hf4
Duplicate Advisory: Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-rx78-29qr-5hq8. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
GHSA-2w22-3f6x-3hf4- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-rx78-29qr-5hq8
OpenClaw: Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection
Summary
Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection. In affected versions, a workspace-derived environment path could select an unintended trash executable during maintenance.
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 a local executable from a path the operator did not intend for maintenance tasks. 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 2026.5.2.
Mitigations
keep maintenance flows on trusted workspaces and fixed service paths 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-rx78-29qr-5hq8- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
CVE-2026-53865- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/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
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
OpenClaw < 2026.5.2 - Arbitrary Command Execution via Workspace-Derived Service PATH
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
CVE-2026-53865- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-2w22-3f6x-3hf4
Duplicate Advisory: Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection
Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-rx78-29qr-5hq8. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains a path traversal vulnerability in maintenance task execution that allows workspace-derived service paths to influence trash command selection. Attackers can execute unintended local executables from operator-unintended paths during maintenance operations by manipulating workspace-derived environment paths.
- Record
GHSA-2w22-3f6x-3hf4- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-rx78-29qr-5hq8
OpenClaw: Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection
Summary
Workspace-derived service PATH could influence trash command selection. In affected versions, a workspace-derived environment path could select an unintended trash executable during maintenance.
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 a local executable from a path the operator did not intend for maintenance tasks. 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 2026.5.2.
Mitigations
keep maintenance flows on trusted workspaces and fixed service paths 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-rx78-29qr-5hq8- CVSS 4.0
- 7.2 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-426
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openclawnpm |
before 2026.5.2 | 2026.5.2 |
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-2026-53865 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.2) 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 2nd percentile. Fixed in openclaw 2026.5.2.
References
github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rx78-29qr-5hq8
vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-command-execution-via-workspace-derived-service-path
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53865