CVE-2026-53846
HIGH 7OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation. Attackers with workspace access can execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup to compromise the build environment.
ELEVATED IMPACT
Severe if exploited (CVSS 7), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.
Exploitation likelihood
0.1%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 2nd percentile
○ In CISA KEV
○ Public exploit / PoC
Impact if exploited
7CVSS 4.0 · HIGH
- ConfidentialityHigh
- IntegrityHigh
- AvailabilityNone
What an attacker needs
- ⚠Access: Requires local access to the host
- ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
- ⚠User interaction: Requires active user interaction
- ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
- ⚠Requirements: Specific conditions must be present
✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-426: Untrusted search path
CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N