CVE-2026-53855 is a high-severity OS command injection vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions < 2026.4.2. It is fixed in 2026.4.2.
Summary Shell positional parameters could weaken strict inline-eval checks. In affected versions, a command request that combines allowlisted tools with shell positional arguments could place inline-eval content in a shell carrier not covered by the strict check. This advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed. Impact When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could run shell-provided content outside the intended allowlist rule. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path. Patched Versions The first stable patched version is 2026.4.2. Mitigations avoid allowlisting shell carrier patterns and require approval for shell wrappers until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.
Untrusted input reaches a shell command, allowing arbitrary commands to run on the host. Typical impact: code execution in the application's environment.
CVE-2026-53855 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment.
A fixed version is available (2026.4.2). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
npm
openclaw (< 2026.4.2)openclaw → 2026.4.2 (npm)Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter instead of chasing every advisory.
Kodem's Application Detection and Response identifies whether CVE-2026-53855 is reachable in your applications. Explore runtime application protection for your team.
See if CVE-2026-53855 is reachable in your applications. Get a demo
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.4.2 or later to resolve this vulnerability.
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
CVE-2026-53855 is a high-severity OS command injection vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions < 2026.4.2. It is fixed in 2026.4.2. Untrusted input reaches a shell command, allowing arbitrary commands to run on the host.
CVE-2026-53855 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
openclaw (npm) versions < 2026.4.2 is affected.
Yes. CVE-2026-53855 is fixed in 2026.4.2. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2026-53855 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.4.2 or later.