# CVE-2026-53858: OpenClaw environment variable injection in STATE_DIRECTORY

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-53858-openclaw-environment-variable-injection-in-state-directory  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-16. Updated: 2026-06-18  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-53858 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.1 · Published 2026-06-16

OpenClaw is a workspace management tool. A vulnerability exists where opening a malicious repository can allow the workspace's configuration files to redirect where the application looks for its internal software components. This could allow an attacker to trick a user into running malicious code, potentially leading to a full system compromise or data theft.

Technologies: [openclaw (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-openclaw), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openclaw). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openclaw).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-53858 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-53858 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-53858?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.1, published 16 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openclaw (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=2026.5.2; Openclaw < 2026.5.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-53858?** Yes. openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.5.2 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-53858 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-53858?** Check whether you run openclaw (npm) or Openclaw at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.5.2 or later

  ```sh
  npm install openclaw@2026.5.2
  ```


## Technical details

A CWE-426 (Untrusted Search Path) vulnerability exists in OpenClaw where the `STATE_DIRECTORY` environment variable can be set via a workspace `.env` file. Because this variable is processed before runtime dependency root resolution, an attacker can provide a malicious repository that, when opened by a user, forces the application to load bundled runtime dependencies from an attacker-controlled local path. This requires user interaction (opening a malicious workspace) and can result in local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the context of the operator. The issue is fixed in version 2026.5.2.

## Affected products

- OpenClaw openclaw < 2026.5.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-53858
- GHSA-wc84-j36w-pw4x

## Timeline

- 2026-05-28: disclosed
- 2026-06-18: advisory: GitHub Advisory published

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou](https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou)
- [https://github.com/feynman-hou](https://github.com/feynman-hou)
- [https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/repos](https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/58766556?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/58766556?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/feynman-hou/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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