OpenClaw: Unrecognized script runners could bypass `system.run` approval integrity
## Summary In affected versions of `openclaw`, node-host `system.run` approvals did not bind a mutable file operand for some script runners, including forms such as `tsx` and `jiti`. An attacker could obtain approval for a benign script-runner command, rewrite the referenced script on disk, and have the modified code execute under the already approved run context. ## Impact Deployments that rely on node-host `system.run` approvals for script integrity could execute rewritten local code after operator approval. This can lead to unintended local code execution as the OpenClaw runtime user. ## Affected Packages and Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `< 2026.3.11` - Fixed in: `2026.3.11` ## Technical Details The approval planner only tracked mutable script operands for a hardcoded set of interpreters and runtime forms. Commands such as `tsx ./run.ts` and `jiti ./run.ts` fell through without a bound file snapshot, so the final pre-execution revalidation step was skipped. ## Fix OpenClaw now fails closed for approval-backed interpreter and runtime commands unless it can bind exactly one concrete local file operand, and it extends direct-file binding coverage for additional runtime forms. The fix shipped in `openclaw@2026.3.11`. ## Workarounds Upgrade to `2026.3.11` or later.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-32978US | high7.5OT elevated | — | ||
OpenClaw before 2026.3.11 contains an approval integrity vulnerability where system.run approvals fail to bind mutable file operands for certain script runners like tsx and jiti. A… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclawPACKAGE
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.3.11WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-qc36-x95h-7j53WEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32978ADVISORY
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-approval-bypass-via-unrecognized-script-runnersWEB
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