Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-31994 is a local command injection issue in OpenClaw on Windows. A logged-in attacker who can influence scheduled task script generation arguments may cause unintended commands to run in the scheduled task context. This is not described as remote exploitation, but it can seriously affect integrity and availability on exposed Windows deployments.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for Windows OpenClaw deployments on shared or sensitive systems. The vulnerability is high severity but local, so urgency depends on who has local access and whether scheduled task generation is enabled or exposed to less-trusted users.
Technical view
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.19 mishandle Windows cmd metacharacters, expansion-sensitive characters, and CR/LF sequences when generating gateway.cmd scheduled task scripts. The issue is classified as CWE-78 and scored CVSS 7.1: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, high integrity and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Windows systems running OpenClaw before 2026.2.19 where local users or processes can control service script generation arguments. The provided affected metadata is limited and somewhat inconsistent, so teams should verify against vendor advisory details and installed versions.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires local access and control over relevant script generation inputs, limiting internet-scale risk but increasing concern on shared systems, developer workstations, and compromised hosts.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports local command injection in Windows scheduled task script generation fixed by a referenced patch commit. Public source details identify unsafe cmd argument handling but do not establish active exploitation. Affected-version metadata in the bundle should be cross-checked against the GitHub advisory and CVE record.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade OpenClaw to 2026.2.19 or later if vendor guidance confirms applicability.
- Review the GitHub advisory and patch commit for exact affected configurations.
- Restrict who can generate or modify OpenClaw service scripts on Windows hosts.
- Limit local user access on systems running OpenClaw scheduled tasks.
- Monitor vendor channels for updated remediation guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows systems running OpenClaw and record installed versions.
- Confirm whether gateway.cmd scheduled task generation is used.
- Check whether installed versions are earlier than 2026.2.19.
- Review scheduled task scripts for unexpected content or recent unauthorized changes.
- Validate access controls around service script generation inputs.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-31994 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H1.85.2VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——VulnCheckVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
6.9MediumVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-mqr9-vqhq-3jxw)CVE reference, VulnCheck · vendor-advisory
- Patch CommitCVE reference, VulnCheck · patch
- VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw < 2026.2.19 - Local Command Injection via Unsafe cmd Argument Handling in Windows Scheduled Task Script GenerationCVE reference, VulnCheck · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.