CVE-2026-35633 - OpenClaw: Remote media error responses could trigger unbounded memory allocation before failure

CVE-2026-35633 + OpenClaw: Remote media error responses could trigger unbounded memory allocation before failure + High + 2026-03-26

One-sentence business risk

Attackers can turn a normal application path into code execution, making this a direct production-host takeover risk.

Research notes

  • Root cause: ## Summary Remote media HTTP error bodies were read without a hard size cap before failure handling, allowing unbounded allocation on error responses.
  • Affected versions: npm:openclaw < 2026.3.22.
  • Fixed / safe versions: 2026.3.22.
  • Public exploit / PoC signal: the consulted NVD/GHSA/vendor sources describe the trigger class; treat it as reproducible until patched.
  • CVSS: use upstream advisory score .

Exact vulnerable code pattern

run("tool " + user_controlled_value)

Fixed / mitigated code pattern

run(["tool", user_controlled_value], shell=False) with an allowlisted argument schema

Dependency or runtime update:

npm ls openclaw || true
npm install openclaw@latest --save-exact
npm audit --omit=dev

Step-by-step integration guide

  1. Inventory openclaw across source, lockfiles, SBOMs, container images, CI images, and deployment manifests.
  2. Upgrade to 2026.3.22 or apply the exact vendor patch referenced below.
  3. Replace the vulnerable command-injection pattern with the fixed pattern and fail closed on malformed input.
  4. Add a regression test that exercises the advisory trigger and proves the request is rejected, bounded, or authorized.
  5. Deploy through canary, monitor security logs and resource metrics, then remove temporary edge blocks only after all runtimes are fixed.

Alternative mitigations

  • Disable the vulnerable feature path while the package/runtime update rolls out.
  • Add WAF or reverse-proxy rules for traversal tokens, prototype-polluting keys, oversized frames, shell metacharacters, or unauthenticated tool calls matching the trigger class.
  • Restrict internal egress, rotate exposed secrets, and revoke affected tokens/keys if the vulnerability can disclose config, logs, JWT secrets, proxy credentials, or PKI material.
  • For admin/API authorization issues, temporarily require elevated roles and explicit ownership checks at the gateway.

Detection signature

id: cve-2026-35633-openclaw-remote-media-error-responses-could-trig
source: GitHub Advisory Database
dependency_or_product: "openclaw"
affected: "npm:openclaw < 2026.3.22"
fixed: "2026.3.22"
signals:
  - "command-injection"
  - "../"
  - "__proto__"
  - "tools/call"
  - "wp_ajax_nopriv"
  - "pickle.loads"
  - "shell command construction"
action: "upgrade, add regression test, and verify deploy artifact"

Copy-paste skill

You are remediating CVE-2026-35633 (OpenClaw: Remote media error responses could trigger unbounded memory allocation before failure) in this repository.

Find every affected dependency, runtime, image, service configuration, and reachable code path. Upgrade or patch to 2026.3.22. Replace the vulnerable command-injection pattern with a fail-closed implementation, add a regression test for the trigger shape, and update deployment/SBOM artifacts. If this repository does not control the affected runtime, create TRIAGE.md naming the owner, affected version, fixed version, and blocking decision.

Keywords, affected tech stack, and revenue tags

  • Keywords: CVE-2026-35633, command-injection, openclaw, GitHub Advisory Database.
  • Affected tech stack: javascript/npm.
  • Revenue tags: sellable_to_fintech, enterprise_blocker, high_priority_sla.

References