OpenClaw up to 2026.5.1 Environment Variable untrusted search path

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.9$0-$5k0.87

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in OpenClaw up to 2026.5.1. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Environment Variable Handler. Such manipulation leads to untrusted search path. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-53842. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in OpenClaw up to 2026.5.1. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Environment Variable Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a untrusted search path vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-426. The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

OpenClaw before 2026.5.2 contains an environment variable injection vulnerability allowing workspace .env files to influence Python runtime selection through CLOUDSDK_PYTHON during Gmail setup gcloud execution. Attackers with repository access can manipulate the CLOUDSDK_PYTHON variable to execute setup through unintended local Python paths, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.

The advisory is available at github.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-53842 since 06/10/2026. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Local access is required to approach this attack. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. This vulnerability is assigned to T1574 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

Upgrading to version 2026.5.2 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

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: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Temp Score: 6.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.1
CNA Vector (VulnCheck): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Untrusted search path
CWE: CWE-426
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

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 2026.5.2

Timelineinfo

06/10/2026 CVE reserved
06/16/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
06/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: github.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-53842 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-53842
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-371366

Entryinfo

Created: 06/16/2026 21:34
Changes: 06/16/2026 21:34 (76)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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