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High

OpenClaw shell option parsing bypass in exec revalidation

IdentifiersCVE-2026-53806CWE-367· Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU)…

CVE-2026-53806 affects OpenClaw versions before 2026.5.12. The vulnerability is a shell option parsing flaw in which combined POSIX shell flags can bypass exec revalidation checks. As described in the provided content, an attacker can supply combined shell options so that inline shell content is executed without the intended allowlist validation being applied. When the affected feature is enabled, this can result in unauthorized command execution.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

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Successful exploitation can bypass intended execution policy or allowlist enforcement in OpenClaw's exec revalidation logic and permit unauthorized command execution. Based on the provided CVSS vectors and description, the resulting impact can include compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability in the security context of the affected OpenClaw process.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate upgrade is not possible, disable the affected feature if operationally feasible, especially any functionality that permits shell execution or inline shell content processing. Restrict access to the vulnerable capability to only trusted, least-privileged users, and avoid passing user-controllable shell options or inline shell content into the affected execution path until the fix is applied.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.5.12 or later, as versions before 2026.5.12 are described as affected. Apply the vendor-provided fix referenced by the associated GitHub Security Advisory and related advisory material.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

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VendorProductType
OpenclawOpenclawapplication

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Vendor-by-vendor mapping

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Social activity6

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