PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-53846 OpenClaw CVE debrief
CVE-2026-53846 is a HIGH-severity vulnerability in OpenClaw, a software that was vulnerable to a path traversal issue. The vulnerability, which has a CVSS score of 7, was published on 2026-06-16T19:17:01.653Z and last modified on 2026-06-16T20:42:46.200Z. The issue allows attackers with workspace access to execute unintended local package-manager executables during dependency setup, potentially compromising the build environment.
- Vendor
- OpenClaw
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 7
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-06-16
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-06-18
- Advisory published
- 2026-06-16
- Advisory updated
- 2026-06-18
Who should care
Users of OpenClaw before version 2026.4.29 should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it.
Technical summary
The vulnerability is caused by a path traversal issue in the install helper of OpenClaw, which allows workspace .env files to override the npm_execpath configuration used for bundled runtime dependency installation.
Defensive priority
HIGH
Recommended defensive actions
- Update OpenClaw to version 2026.4.29 or later.
- Restrict access to workspace .env files.
- Monitor for suspicious activity in the build environment.
Evidence notes
The CVE record [cve-org] and NVD detail [nvd] provide further information about this vulnerability.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-53846 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53846
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-53846 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53846
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-24vr-rprv-67rf
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-arbitrary-package-manager-execution-via-workspace-env-npm-execpath
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.