OpenClaw up to 2026.2.20 Gateway Service NODE_OPTIONS external control of setting

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in OpenClaw up to 2026.2.20. Affected is an unknown function of the component Gateway Service. Performing a manipulation of the argument NODE_OPTIONS results in external control of setting. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-22177. The attack is only possible with local access. There is not any exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in OpenClaw up to 2026.2.20. This affects an unknown functionality of the component Gateway Service. The manipulation of the argument NODE_OPTIONS with an unknown input leads to a external control of setting vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-15. One or more system settings or configuration elements can be externally controlled by a user. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.21 fail to filter dangerous process-control environment variables from config env.vars, allowing startup-time code execution. Attackers can inject variables like NODE_OPTIONS or LD_* through configuration to execute arbitrary code in the OpenClaw gateway service runtime context.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-22177 since 01/06/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 2026.2.21 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0472). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source OpenClaw

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 6.1
CNA Vector (VulnCheck): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: External control of setting
CWE: CWE-15
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: OpenClaw 2026.2.21
Patch: 2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4

Timelineinfo

01/06/2026 CVE reserved
03/18/2026 +71 days Advisory disclosed
03/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/22/2026 +4 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-22177 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-22177
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-351471
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0472 - OpenClaw: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 03/18/2026 07:06
Updated: 03/22/2026 01:58
Changes: 03/18/2026 07:06 (79), 03/19/2026 03:53 (7), 03/22/2026 01:58 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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