Executive brief
OpenClaw, a gateway and automation platform, contains a security flaw in how it monitors PowerShell commands. An authorized user could bypass security restrictions to run unauthorized scripts by using shortened command names that the system's security filter fails to recognize. This could allow an attacker to gain full control over the underlying system or access sensitive data that should have been protected by the command allowlist.
Technical details
An allowlist bypass vulnerability exists in OpenClaw's PowerShell command parser due to incomplete input validation (CWE-184). The parser fails to recognize all valid abbreviated flag aliases for PowerShell's encoded-command parameter. A remote authenticated operator can exploit this by using unrecognized alias forms to submit arbitrary Base64-encoded PowerShell content that bypasses execution allowlist checks. This allows for arbitrary code execution on the host system within the context of the OpenClaw service. The issue is resolved in version 2026.5.12.
Affected products
- OpenClaw OpenClaw < 2026.5.12
Timeline
- 2026-05-28: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-06-12: disclosed: NVD publication and CVE assignment
- 2026-05-28: patched: Version 2026.5.12 released