CVE-2026-22168

Description

### Summary A Windows `system.run` approval-integrity mismatch in the `cmd.exe /c` path could allow trailing arguments to execute while approval/audit text reflected only a benign command string. This requires an authenticated operator context using the approvals flow and a trusted Windows node. ### Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Latest published vulnerable version (as of 2026-02-21): `2026.2.19-2` - Vulnerable range: `<=2026.2.19-2` - Patched version (planned next release): `2026.2.21` ### Attack Scenario 1. An authenticated operator approval is created for a benign command text (for example, `echo`). 2. A `system.run` request uses `cmd.exe /c` with extra trailing arguments. 3. Prior behavior could bind approval/audit text to the benign command while still executing the full argument tail on the node. ### Impact - Local command execution on the trusted Windows node process account. - Approval/audit command text integrity mismatch. ### Fix - Canonicalize the full command tail after `cmd.exe /c`. - Reuse one shared command canonicalization/validation path for validation, approval matching, and execution/audit text. - Add regression coverage for trailing-argument smuggling and approval binding. ### Fix Commit(s) - `6007941f04df1edcca679dd6c95949744fdbd4df` ### Release Process Note `patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.21`). Once that npm release is live, this advisory can be published directly. OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

How to fix CVE-2026-22168

To remediate CVE-2026-22168, upgrade the affected package to a fixed version below.

• —upgrade to 2026.2.21 or later

Is CVE-2026-22168 being exploited?

Low — EPSS is 0.1%, meaning exploitation activity has not been observed at scale.

Affected packages (1)

• from 0, < 2026.2.21