Bypass of Exec Approvals in OpenClaw via Multiplexer Shell Wrappers

openclaw Updated 04 Mar 2026

Summary

02/03/2026

Disclosed on

MODERATE

Severity

Yes i

Fix available

Moderate

Severity

6.9

CVSS Score

GHSA-gwqp-86q6-w47g: OpenClaw exec approvals could be bypassed in allowlist mode when allow-always was granted through unrecognized multiplexer shell wrappers (notably busybox sh -c and toybox sh -c). Affects openclaw versions < 2026.2.23. Fixed in 2026.2.23. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or Browse

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats

SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml

Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile

Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml

PHP composer.lock

Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock

Go go.mod

Rust Cargo.lock

Ruby Gemfile.lock

Dart pubspec.lock

C/C++ conan.lock

Elixir mix.lock

Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Background

OpenClaw is an npm package designed to facilitate secure execution of commands in a controlled environment. It employs an allowlist mechanism to ensure that only approved commands are executed, enhancing security by preventing unauthorized command execution. However, a vulnerability exists that allows bypassing this mechanism under certain conditions, particularly when using multiplexer shell wrappers like busybox and toybox.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from the way OpenClaw handles exec approvals in allowlist mode. When 'allow-always' is granted, the wrapper analysis mistakenly treats commands invoked through multiplexer shell wrappers (e.g., busybox sh -c and toybox sh -c) as non-wrapper commands. This results in the wrapper binary path being stored instead of the intended inner executable. Consequently, this allows arbitrary payloads to be executed under the same multiplexer wrapper, effectively bypassing the security measures intended to prevent unauthorized command execution.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 2026.10.6 as of 22 Oct 2026

npm install openclaw@2026.10.6

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

2026.2.23

This is the first release that contains the fix.

npm install openclaw@2026.2.23

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, avoid using multiplexer shell wrappers like busybox and toybox for executing commands with OpenClaw until the package is updated. Instead, use direct calls to the intended executables.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in OpenClaw allows for the bypassing of exec approvals through the use of multiplexer shell wrappers, posing a risk of unauthorized command execution. Users are advised to update to the patched version 2026.2.23 to secure their applications. Additionally, temporary workarounds are available to mitigate the risk until the update is applied.

See every vulnerability recorded for openclaw →