📄 Description (English)
OpenClaw versions 2026.2.23 before 2026.4.12 contain a weakened exec approval binding vulnerability in busybox and toybox applet execution that allows attackers to obscure which applet would actually run. Attackers can exploit opaque multi-call binaries to bypass exec approval mechanisms and weaken risk classification of unsafe applet invocations.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-43530 is a high-severity vulnerability in OpenClaw versions before 2026.4.12 that allows attackers to bypass execution approval mechanisms through opaque multi-call binary manipulation in busybox and toybox applets. This vulnerability enables attackers to obscure which applet would execute and weaken risk classification of unsafe operations, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution. The vulnerability affects Node.js-based OpenClaw deployments and requires immediate patching to prevent exploitation.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 9, 2026 12:00
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations using OpenClaw in Node.js environments, particularly in: (1) Government agencies and NCA infrastructure relying on OpenClaw for system administration and command execution; (2) Banking and SAMA-regulated financial institutions using OpenClaw for secure operations; (3) Telecommunications providers (STC, Mobily) managing network infrastructure; (4) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC) utilizing OpenClaw for critical infrastructure management. The ability to bypass exec approval mechanisms could allow unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data, compromising operational security and regulatory compliance.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government
Banking and Financial Services
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Healthcare
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all OpenClaw deployments in your environment, particularly Node.js-based instances
2. Verify current OpenClaw version against affected range (2026.2.23 to 2026.4.11)
3. Implement network segmentation to restrict OpenClaw service access
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.4.12 or later immediately
2. Test patches in non-production environments first
3. Schedule maintenance windows for production upgrades
4. Verify applet execution controls are functioning post-patch
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement strict input validation for all applet invocations
2. Enable comprehensive audit logging for busybox and toybox execution
3. Restrict execution permissions to authorized users only
4. Monitor for suspicious applet invocation patterns
DETECTION RULES:
1. Alert on unexpected busybox/toybox applet execution
2. Monitor for approval bypass attempts in OpenClaw logs
3. Track changes to multi-call binary configurations
4. Flag execution of applets with mismatched approval classifications
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع نشرات OpenClaw في بيئتك، خاصة الحالات المستندة إلى Node.js
2. تحقق من إصدار OpenClaw الحالي مقابل النطاق المتأثر (2026.2.23 إلى 2026.4.11)
3. تطبيق تقسيم الشبكة لتقييد وصول خدمة OpenClaw
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية OpenClaw إلى الإصدار 2026.4.12 أو أحدث على الفور
2. اختبر التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. جدولة نوافذ الصيانة لترقيات الإنتاج
4. تحقق من أن عناصر التحكم في تنفيذ applet تعمل بعد التصحيح
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكنًا):
1. تطبيق التحقق الصارم من المدخلات لجميع استدعاءات applet
2. تفعيل تسجيل التدقيق الشامل لتنفيذ busybox و toybox
3. تقييد أذونات التنفيذ للمستخدمين المصرح لهم فقط
4. مراقبة أنماط استدعاء applet المريبة
قواعد الكشف:
1. تنبيه عند تنفيذ applet busybox/toybox غير المتوقع
2. مراقبة محاولات تجاوز الموافقة في سجلات OpenClaw
3. تتبع التغييرات في تكوينات الملفات الثنائية متعددة الاستدعاءات
4. وضع علامة على تنفيذ applets مع تصنيفات موافقة غير متطابقة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Access Control Policies
ECC 2024 A.5.2.1 - User Registration and Access Rights Management
ECC 2024 A.8.2.1 - User Access Management
ECC 2024 A.8.3.1 - Password Management
ECC 2024 A.12.4.1 - Event Logging
ECC 2024 A.12.4.3 - Administrator and Operator Logs
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Software Inventory
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control Policy
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access Rights Management
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - System Monitoring
SAMA CSF DE.AE-1 - Audit Logging
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.3 - Segregation of Duties
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Privileged Access Rights
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Information Access Restriction
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.4 - Logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.1 - Configuration Standards
PCI DSS 7.1 - Access Control Implementation
PCI DSS 10.2 - Logging and Monitoring
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/666f48d9b882a8a1415ca53f9567c72499d850c9
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-2cq5-mf3v-mx44
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Vendor Advisory
🔗
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-weakened-exec-approval-binding-via-busybo...
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Third Party Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
openclaw:openclaw