📄 Description (English)
OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 contains an exec allowlist bypass vulnerability where allow-always persistence fails to unwrap /usr/bin/script and similar wrappers before storing trust decisions. Attackers can obtain user approval for one wrapped command to persist trust for wrapper binaries that execute different underlying programs.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
OpenClaw before version 2026.3.28 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-41390) where the allowlist persistence mechanism fails to properly unwrap command wrappers like /usr/bin/script, allowing attackers to obtain user approval for one wrapped command and subsequently execute different underlying programs with trusted privileges. This vulnerability affects Node.js-based OpenClaw deployments and poses significant risk to organizations using this tool for access control and command execution management. With a CVSS score of 7.3 and no patch currently available, immediate compensating controls are essential.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 6, 2026 04:19
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations in critical sectors face significant risk from this vulnerability. Government agencies (NCA, NCSC) and financial institutions (SAMA-regulated banks, payment processors) using OpenClaw for privileged access management and command execution control are particularly vulnerable. Telecommunications operators (STC, Mobily) managing network infrastructure, energy sector entities (ARAMCO, SEC), and healthcare providers using OpenClaw for administrative access could experience unauthorized command execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass security controls designed to restrict command execution, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive systems, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within critical infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Healthcare
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
T1548.004 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Elevated Execution with Prompt
T1134 - Access Token Manipulation
T1547 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
T1547.014 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Rc.common
T1036 - Masquerading
T1036.004 - Masquerading: Masquerade Task or Service
T1574 - Hijack Execution Flow
T1574.007 - Hijack Execution Flow: Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Inventory all OpenClaw deployments across your organization and identify versions prior to 2026.3.28
2. Disable or restrict OpenClaw allowlist persistence features until patching is available
3. Implement strict command wrapper validation by reviewing all /usr/bin/script and similar wrapper configurations
4. Enable comprehensive audit logging for all OpenClaw command executions with focus on wrapper invocations
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Implement mandatory re-authentication for any command execution requests, disabling persistent trust decisions
2. Deploy file integrity monitoring (FIM) on OpenClaw configuration files and allowlist databases
3. Restrict OpenClaw process execution to dedicated service accounts with minimal privileges
4. Implement network segmentation to limit OpenClaw access to authorized administrative networks only
5. Deploy behavioral analysis to detect anomalous command execution patterns
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for /usr/bin/script invocations followed by execution of unexpected child processes
2. Alert on allowlist persistence events where wrapper binary paths differ from executed command paths
3. Track OpenClaw configuration file modifications, particularly allowlist entries
4. Monitor for repeated command execution attempts with varying underlying programs using identical wrapper paths
5. Log all OpenClaw trust decision events with full command path inspection
PATCHING STRATEGY:
1. Monitor OpenClaw project releases for version 2026.3.28 or later
2. Establish expedited testing and deployment procedures for this patch
3. Plan immediate patching upon availability, prioritizing production systems
4. Maintain detailed patch deployment records for compliance auditing
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. قم بحصر جميع عمليات نشر OpenClaw عبر مؤسستك وحدد الإصدارات السابقة للإصدار 2026.3.28
2. قم بتعطيل أو تقييد ميزات استمرار قائمة المسموح بها في OpenClaw حتى يتوفر التصحيح
3. قم بتنفيذ التحقق الصارم من أوامر التغليف من خلال مراجعة جميع تكوينات /usr/bin/script والمغلفات المماثلة
4. قم بتفعيل تسجيل التدقيق الشامل لجميع عمليات تنفيذ أوامر OpenClaw مع التركيز على استدعاءات المغلفات
الضوابط التعويضية:
1. قم بتنفيذ إعادة المصادقة الإلزامية لأي طلبات تنفيذ أوامر، مع تعطيل قرارات الثقة المستمرة
2. قم بنشر مراقبة سلامة الملفات (FIM) على ملفات تكوين OpenClaw وقواعد بيانات قائمة المسموح بها
3. قم بتقييد تنفيذ عملية OpenClaw على حسابات الخدمة المخصصة ذات الامتيازات الدنيا
4. قم بتنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لتحديد وصول OpenClaw إلى شبكات إدارية مصرح بها فقط
5. قم بنشر تحليل السلوك للكشف عن أنماط تنفيذ الأوامر الشاذة
قواعد الكشف:
1. راقب استدعاءات /usr/bin/script متبوعة بتنفيذ عمليات فرعية غير متوقعة
2. أصدر تنبيهات على أحداث استمرار قائمة المسموح بها حيث تختلف مسارات ملفات المغلفات عن مسارات الأوامر المنفذة
3. تتبع تعديلات ملفات تكوين OpenClaw، خاصة إدخالات قائمة المسموح بها
4. راقب محاولات تنفيذ الأوامر المتكررة ببرامج أساسية مختلفة باستخدام مسارات مغلفات متطابقة
5. قم بتسجيل جميع أحداث قرار الثقة في OpenClaw مع فحص مسار الأوامر الكامل
استراتيجية التصحيح:
1. راقب إصدارات مشروع OpenClaw للإصدار 2026.3.28 أو الإصدارات الأحدث
2. قم بإنشاء إجراءات اختبار ونشر معجلة لهذا التصحيح
3. خطط للتصحيح الفوري عند توفره، مع إعطاء الأولوية لأنظمة الإنتاج
4. احتفظ بسجلات نشر التصحيح التفصيلية لتدقيق الامتثال
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 - 5.1.1: Access Control - Privilege escalation vulnerability violates principle of least privilege
ECC 2024 - 5.2.1: Authentication and Authorization - Allowlist bypass undermines authorization controls
ECC 2024 - 5.3.1: Audit and Accountability - Insufficient logging of command execution decisions
ECC 2024 - 5.4.1: System and Communications Protection - Wrapper bypass enables unauthorized command execution
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF - Governance: Risk management framework must address allowlist bypass vulnerabilities
SAMA CSF - Protective Security: Access control and privilege management controls are compromised
SAMA CSF - Detection and Response: Monitoring and detection capabilities for wrapper-based attacks must be enhanced
SAMA CSF - Recovery: Incident response procedures must address unauthorized command execution scenarios
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 - A.5.2: User access provisioning - Allowlist persistence mechanism fails to properly validate access
ISO 27001:2022 - A.5.3: Access rights review - Persistent trust decisions bypass periodic review requirements
ISO 27001:2022 - A.8.1: User endpoint devices - Command wrapper execution control is compromised
ISO 27001:2022 - A.8.2: Privileged access rights - Privilege escalation through wrapper bypass violates principle of least privilege
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 3.2.1: Restrict access to cardholder data - Privilege escalation could enable unauthorized access to payment systems
PCI DSS 7.1: Limit access to cardholder data - Allowlist bypass undermines access control mechanisms
PCI DSS 10.2: Implement user identification - Audit logging of command execution is insufficient
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
openclaw:openclaw