CVE-2026-22168
OpenClaw has Windows system.run approval mismatch on cmd.exe /c trailing arguments
Impact
### Summary A Windows `system.run` approval-integrity mismatch in the `cmd.exe /c` path could allow trailing arguments to execute while approval/audit text reflected only a benign command string. This requires an authenticated operator context using the approvals flow and a trusted Windows node. ### Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Latest published vulnerable version (as of 2026-02-21): `2026.2.19-2` - Vulnerable range: `<=2026.2.19-2` - Patched version (planned next release): `2026.2.21` ### Attack Scenario 1. An authenticated operator approval is created for a benign command text (for example, `echo`). 2. A `system.run` request uses `cmd.exe /c` with extra trailing arguments. 3. Prior behavior could bind approval/audit text to the benign command while still executing the full argument tail on the node. ### Impact - Local command execution on the trusted Windows node process account. - Approval/audit command text integrity mismatch. ### Fix - Canonicalize the full command tail after `cmd.exe /c`. - Reuse one shared command canonicalization/validation path for validation, approval matching, and execution/audit text. - Add regression coverage for trailing-argument smuggling and approval binding. ### Fix Commit(s) - `6007941f04df1edcca679dd6c95949744fdbd4df` ### Release Process Note `patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.21`). Once that npm release is live, this advisory can be published directly. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | openclaw | < 2026.2.21 | 2026.2.21 |
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|
| Openclaw | Openclaw | before 2026.2.21 |
Weakness classification
References
- NVD record
- CVE.org record
- GitHub advisory
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/6007941f04df1edcca679dd6c95949744fdbd4df
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-5v6x-rfc3-7qfr
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-command-injection-via-cmd-exe-c-trailing-arguments-in-system-run
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-5v6x-rfc3-7qfr
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22168