OpenClaw has a CWD .env environment variable injection which bypasses host-env policy and allows config takeover

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS

9.6 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS

• CVE-2026-41294: 0.13% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 2.65 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary OpenClaw loaded the current working directory .env before trusted state-dir configuration, allowing untrusted workspace state to inject host environment values. Impact A repository or workspace containing a malicious .env file could override runtime configuration and security-sensitive environment settings when OpenClaw started there. Affected Component src/infra/dotenv.ts, src/cli/dotenv.ts Fixed Versions - Affected: <= 2026.3.24 - Patched: = 2026.3.28 - Latest stable 2026.3.28 contains the fix. Fix Fixed by commit 6a79324802 (Filter untrusted CWD .env entries before OpenClaw startup).

Published by the source

1 Apr 2026, 00:02 UTC

Last modified by the source

20 Apr 2026, 23:56 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 12:48 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Amended from osv record GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq

3. Revision 1 · created · 23 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq

Preview the exact text before you copy it. Commands are read-only suggestions; review them before running anything.

# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-41294

Advisory: OpenClaw has a CWD `.env` environment variable injection which bypasses host-env policy and allows config takeover
IDs: CVE-2026-41294, GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-41294 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 12:48 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.6)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: openclaw 2026.3.28. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm openclaw: affected <= 2026.3.24; fixed in 2026.3.28

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls openclaw --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on openclaw.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <=2026.3.24)
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq (OSV record GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <2026.3.28 (fixed))

Commands are suggestions: review each one before running it.