8.8
HIGH CVSS 3.1
CVE-2026-22177
OpenClaw < 2026.2.21 - Environment Variable Injection via Config env.vars
Description

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.

INFO

Published Date :

March 18, 2026, 2:16 a.m.

Last Modified :

March 19, 2026, 4:07 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

Yes !
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-22177 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Openclaw openclaw
CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM [email protected]
CVSS 3.1 HIGH [email protected]
CVSS 4.0 MEDIUM 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10
CVSS 4.0 MEDIUM [email protected]
Solution
Update OpenClaw to patch a vulnerability allowing code execution via environment variables.
  • Update OpenClaw to version 2026.2.21 or later.
  • Review and sanitize configuration environment variables.
  • Restrict access to configuration files.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github

CVE-2026-22177 has a 1 public PoC/Exploit available at Github. Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2026-22177.

URL Resource
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4 Patch
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7 Vendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-config-env-vars Third Party Advisory
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-22177 is associated with the following CWEs:

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Cathedral-Grade Security for AI Agents. 23/23 attack vectors caught. Local-first, zero API cost. MIT licensed.

Python

Updated: 6 days, 10 hours ago
3 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : March 13, 2026, 5:10 p.m. This repo has been linked 22 different CVEs too.

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2026-22177 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-22177 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • Initial Analysis by [email protected]

    Mar. 19, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2026.2.21
    Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4 Types: Patch
    Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7 Types: Vendor Advisory
    Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-config-env-vars Types: Third Party Advisory
  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Mar. 18, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description 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.
    Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L
    Added CWE CWE-15
    Added Reference https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/2cdbadee1f8fcaa93302d7debbfc529e19868ea4
    Added Reference https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-8fmp-37rc-p5g7
    Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-config-env-vars
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.