OpenClaw's tools.exec.safeBins sort long-option abbreviation bypass can skip exec approval in allowlist mode

Summary

In OpenClaw, tools.exec.safeBins validation for sort could be bypassed via GNU long-option abbreviations in allowlist mode, allowing approval-free execution paths that should require approval.

Affected Packages / Versions

• Ecosystem: npm
• Package: openclaw
• Latest published version checked: 2026.2.22-2
• Affected range: <= 2026.2.22-2
• Fixed version: 2026.2.23

Impact

When all of the following are true:

• tools.exec.security=allowlist
• tools.exec.ask=on-miss
• tools.exec.safeBins includes sort

abbreviated GNU long options (for example --compress-prog) could bypass denied-flag checks and be treated as allowlist-satisfied safe-bin usage, skipping approval.

Root Cause

Long-option handling matched denied flags by exact string and accepted unknown long options with inline values instead of failing closed.

Fix Commit(s)

• 3b8e33037ae2e12af7beb56fcf0346f1f8cbde6f

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the released version (2026.2.23). This advisory now reflects released fix version 2026.2.23.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.