CVE-2026-41294: openclaw — Fix

Description

OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 loads the current working directory .env file before trusted state-dir configuration, allowing environment variable injection. Attackers can place a malicious .env file in a repository or workspace to override runtime configuration and security-sensitive environment settings during OpenClaw startup.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

8.6

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0001

Probability of exploitation

0.03%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-15 CWE-15

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
openclaw	openclaw	< 2026.3.28

References

Advisories & Patches

https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-8rh7-6779-cjqq

Other References

https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-environment-variable-injection-via-cwd-env-file

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-41294? +

OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 loads the current working directory .env file before trusted state-dir configuration, allowing environment variable injection. Attackers can place a malicious .env file in a repository or workspace to override runtime configuration and security-sensitive environment settings during OpenClaw startup. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2026-41294? +

CVE-2026-41294 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.6 out of 10, rated HIGH. This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for patching. The EPSS score is 0.0001, placing it in the 0th percentile for exploitation probability.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-41294? +

CVE-2026-41294 affects products from openclaw, specifically: openclaw. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-41294? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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