Is this vulnerability remotely exploitable?

Yes, if OpenClaw is exposed through remote interfaces (such as a web UI or API) that allow users to submit or influence commands passed through exec approvals. In such cases, attackers may exploit the issue over the network without local access to the host.

What level of access does an attacker need to exploit this?

An attacker must be able to reach a feature or workflow that invokes the exec approvals mechanism and accept attacker-influenced command content. This may require authenticated access depending on how OpenClaw is deployed and what permissions are needed to trigger approved commands.

What is the safest general fix pattern for this issue?

The most robust fix is to eliminate shell-based execution of untrusted input altogether by using structured command execution APIs that accept argument arrays and do not perform shell parsing. Additionally, the allowlist logic should be redesigned to operate on structured actions or fixed command templates, rather than free-form command strings.

Severity:

CRITICAL RISK

(9.8)

Command Injection via Exec Allowlist Bypass (CWE-78) in OpenClaw Exec Approvals

CVE-2026-28470

Published:

Mar 5, 2026

Status:

Modified

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

NDV

Recent Vulnerabilities

CWE-918

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.6)

Server-Side Request Forgery (CWE-918) in OpenClaw Zalo Plugin sendPhoto

Unauthorized Access to Internal Resources via SSRF

May 6, 2026

CWE-863

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Authorization Bypass (CWE-863) in OpenClaw Matrix Room Control Commands

Privilege Escalation via Bypassed Access Control

May 6, 2026

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Command Injection / Shell Metacharacter Injection

CWE:

CWE-78

Impact:

Remote Code Execution

Severity:

CRITICAL RISK

(9.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Command Injection / Shell Metacharacter Injection

CWE:

CWE-78

Impact:

Remote Code Execution

Severity:

CRITICAL RISK

(9.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

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Command Injection via Exec Allowlist Bypass (CWE-78) in OpenClaw Exec Approvals

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

Recent Vulnerabilities

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.6)

Server-Side Request Forgery (CWE-918) in OpenClaw Zalo Plugin sendPhoto

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Authorization Bypass (CWE-863) in OpenClaw Matrix Room Control Commands

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

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