Description
OpenClaw before 2026.4.20 contains an improper environment variable validation vulnerability in MCP stdio server configuration that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. Malicious workspace configurations can pass dangerous startup variables like NODE_OPTIONS, LD_PRELOAD, or BASH_ENV to spawned MCP server processes, enabling code injection when operators start sessions using those servers.
Problem types
Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
Product status
Any version before 2026.4.20
2026.4.20 (semver)
Credits
Gus (@garagon)
References
github.com/...enclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-mj59-h3q9-ghfh (GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-mj59-h3q9-ghfh))
github.com/...ommit/62fa5071896e95edc7f67d1cebc70a2859e283af (Patch Commit (1))
github.com/...ommit/85d86ebc4bf3d2226d39d132a484f4f7a299fa1b (Patch Commit (2))
www.vulncheck.com/...ion-via-mcp-stdio-environment-variables (VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw < 2026.4.20 - Arbitrary Code Execution via MCP stdio Environment Variables)