CVE-2026-53858 is a high-severity security vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions < 2026.5.2. It is fixed in 2026.5.2.
Summary Workspace .env STATEDIRECTORY could influence bundled runtime dependency roots. In affected versions, a workspace .env in a repository opened by a trusted operator could set STATEDIRECTORY before runtime dependency root resolution. 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 load bundled runtime dependencies from an unintended local state path. 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 2026.5.2. Mitigations avoid opening untrusted workspace env files before runtime dependency installation 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.
CVE-2026-53858 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). The vector is requires local access, no privileges required, and user interaction required. 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 (2026.5.2). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
npm
openclaw (< 2026.5.2)openclaw → 2026.5.2 (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 runtime-powered SCA identifies whether CVE-2026-53858 is reachable in your applications. Explore open-source security for your team.
See if CVE-2026-53858 is reachable in your applications. Get a demo
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.5.2 or later to resolve this vulnerability.
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
CVE-2026-53858 is a high-severity security vulnerability in openclaw (npm), affecting versions < 2026.5.2. It is fixed in 2026.5.2.
CVE-2026-53858 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (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 < 2026.5.2 is affected.
Yes. CVE-2026-53858 is fixed in 2026.5.2. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2026-53858 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 2026.5.2 or later.