CVE-2026-62199 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
OpenClaw versions before 2026.6.6 contain a flaw in host exec environment filtering that can miss interpreter startup variables. When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, a lower-trust caller or configured input path can supply crafted environment variables to execute or persist actions beyond the caller's intended authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The vulnerability exists within OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.6.6 where a critical flaw in host execution environment filtering allows for improper handling of interpreter startup variables. This weakness stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or restrict environmental inputs during process initialization phases. The flaw operates at the system integration level where trusted execution contexts do not adequately validate untrusted input sources, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through environment manipulation.
This technical vulnerability represents a classic case of environment variable injection and privilege escalation, classified under CWE-78 and CWE-20. The issue manifests when the affected feature is enabled and accessible to unauthorized parties, allowing malicious actors to craft specific environmental inputs that bypass normal security controls. The root cause lies in inadequate input sanitization within the host execution environment where system-level variables intended for interpreter startup are not properly filtered or validated before being processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential persistent threat capabilities and unauthorized system access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, establish persistence mechanisms, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where OpenClaw operates as a service or daemon process, as these environments typically have elevated permissions and broader system access than regular user processes.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1548.002 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism). Attackers can utilize this weakness to manipulate interpreter startup variables such as PATH, LD_LIBRARY_PATH, or PYTHONPATH to load malicious libraries or execute unintended commands. The persistence aspect becomes particularly concerning when the vulnerable system maintains long-running processes that retain these manipulated environment settings across multiple execution contexts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 2026.6.6 or later where the environment filtering mechanisms have been properly implemented. Organizations must also implement robust input validation at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, system-level environment variable restrictions, and network-level access controls. Additional defensive measures include implementing least-privilege principles for OpenClaw processes, monitoring for anomalous environment variable changes, and conducting regular security audits of system execution contexts to detect potential exploitation attempts.