OpenClaw plugin runtime command execution is part of trusted plugin boundary
Date: 2026-03
Affected: npm/openclaw
Attack vector: rce
Category: vulnerability-disclosure
Severity: Medium
CWE: CWE-78

### Summary OpenClaw plugins/extensions run in-process and are treated as trusted code. This advisory tracks trust-boundary clarification around plugin runtime command execution (`runtime.system.runCommandWithTimeout`). ### Impact Plugins already execute with the same OS privileges as the OpenClaw process. Exposing runtime command helpers does not cross an additional sandbox boundary. ### Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Latest published version reviewed: `2026.2.17` - Affected range for this advisory record: `<= 2026.2.17` - Planned patched version metadata: `2026.2.19` (next release line) ### Fix Commit(s) - `2e421f32dfc589c02706265fd3c3137ffc06c4b1` ### Remediation - Install only trusted plugins. - Use `plugins.allow` to pin explicit trusted plugin IDs. - SECURITY.md now explicitly documents that plugin runtime helpers are convenience APIs, not a sandbox boundary. OpenClaw thanks @markmusson for reporting.


Mitigations:

Architectural layers (MAESTRO):