OpenClaw's complex interpreter pipelines could skip exec script preflight validation

Summary

Before OpenClaw 2026.4.2, exec script preflight validation could fail open on complex interpreter invocations such as pipes or other non-simple command forms. In those cases, script-content validation could be skipped entirely.

Impact

An attacker-controlled command shape could bypass the intended preflight validation for script execution. This weakened a defense-in-depth guard that was meant to block unsafe script content before execution.

Affected Packages / Versions

• Package: openclaw (npm)
• Affected versions: <= 2026.4.1
• Patched versions: >= 2026.4.2
• Latest published npm version: 2026.4.1

Fix Commit(s)

• 8aceaf5d0f0ec552b75a792f7f0a3bfa5b091513 — close the fail-open bypass in exec script preflight

Release Process Note

The fix is present on main and is staged for OpenClaw 2026.4.2. Publish this advisory after the 2026.4.2 npm release is live.

Thanks @iskindar for reporting, and thanks @wsparks-vc for coordination.