Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2026-59261 is a high-severity Incomplete List of Disallowed Inputs (CWE-184) vulnerability in Openclaw Openclaw. Its CVSS base score is 8.4 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Remote Services (T1021); ranked at the 20th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SC-28 (Protection of Information at Rest) and SC-8 (Transmission Confidentiality and Integrity) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-42322
Vulnerability Data
OpenClaw before 2026.5.28 contains a credential exposure vulnerability where workspace dotenv files can override provider credentials. Attackers with lower-trust access to configured input paths can expose sensitive data and credentials that should remain within trusted boundaries.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
—
—
- 3 hardening rules · 2 OS baselines
V3.5.2V4.4.2V16.2.5V11.3.3
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Protection of information at rest requires encryption or equivalent safeguards for stored credentials.
Transmission confidentiality and integrity enforcement stops credentials from being sent in plaintext or without protection.
SI-10 requires validity checks on inputs, which structurally replaces incomplete deny-lists with complete allow-list or sanitization logic.
Authenticator management requires secure generation, storage, and distribution of credentials, directly stopping insecure methods.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Credential management practices directly reduce insecure storage/transmission but do not guarantee encryption or transport protection.
Authentication policies can enforce stronger credential handling yet address only verification, not storage or transit protection.
Protecting identity assertions covers conveyance of credentials but is narrower than full credential lifecycle protection.
Encrypting data-at-rest fully prevents insecure credential storage while only partially satisfying the broader data-protection outcome.
Encrypting data-in-transit fully prevents interception of credentials in motion while only partially satisfying the broader data-protection outcome.
Secure SDLC practices directly require complete, positive input validation instead of incomplete denylists.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Acceptable-use expectations that cover protection of credentials and information assets throughout their lifecycle discourage practices that expose or mishandle authentication material.
Requiring protected storage, transmission, and non-display of passwords prevents credentials from being stored or sent in clear text where they can be harvested by unauthorized actors.
Contractual clauses that survive termination help ensure that credentials and other secrets are not retained or misused after employment ends.
Regular reminders about password security and personal accountability make users less likely to store or transmit credentials in cleartext or other unprotected forms.
By requiring signatories to protect credentials and other authentication material under the same confidentiality terms, the control discourages the mishandling or exposure of credentials that could lead to unauthorized account access.
Requiring logical controls such as passwords or PINs on idle devices and the use of remote lockout mechanisms protects credentials and other sensitive material from offline extraction.