PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-53831 OpenClaw CVE debrief
CVE-2026-53831 is a high-severity policy enforcement vulnerability in OpenClaw before version 2026.5.18. The vulnerability is located in the system.run safe-bin allowlist validation and allows shell expansion to modify command interpretation on POSIX nodes. Authenticated operators can exploit shell metacharacters in approved commands to read unintended node-local files and expose sensitive configuration data. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.6, indicating a high severity.
- Vendor
- OpenClaw
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 7.6
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-06-12
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-06-16
- Advisory published
- 2026-06-12
- Advisory updated
- 2026-06-16
Who should care
Users of OpenClaw before version 2026.5.18, particularly those with authenticated operators, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it.
Technical summary
The vulnerability is caused by inadequate validation of shell metacharacters in approved commands in the system.run safe-bin allowlist. This allows authenticated operators to exploit shell expansion and read unintended node-local files, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data.
Defensive priority
High
Recommended defensive actions
- Update OpenClaw to version 2026.5.18 or later.
- Restrict access to authenticated operators.
- Monitor for suspicious activity.
Evidence notes
The CVE record and NVD detail can be found at [cve-org] and [nvd], respectively. Additional information can be found in the source references [ref-4] and [ref-5].
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-53831 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53831
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-53831 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53831
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-mhq8-78pj-5j79
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-file-read-via-shell-expansion-in-system-run-safe-bin-allowlist
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.