OpenClaw before 2026.4.20 fails to properly reserve the OPENCLAW_ runtime-control environment namespace in workspace dotenv files, allowing attackers to override critical runtim...
Date: 2026-05
Affected: openclaw/openclaw
Attack vector: other
Category: vulnerability-disclosure
Severity: High
CVE: CVE-2026-44114
CWE: CWE-184
CVSS: 7.8 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

OpenClaw before 2026.4.20 fails to properly reserve the OPENCLAW_ runtime-control environment namespace in workspace dotenv files, allowing attackers to override critical runtime variables. Malicious workspaces can set variables like OPENCLAW_GIT_DIR to manipulate trusted OpenClaw runtime behavior during source-update or installer flows.


Mitigations:

Architectural layers (MAESTRO):