CVE-2026-22168: OpenClaw has Windows system.run approval mismatch on cmd.exe /c trailing arguments

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.