OpenClaw: Untrusted workspace channel shadows could execute during built-in channel setup

Summary

Before OpenClaw 2026.4.2, built-in channel setup and login could resolve an untrusted workspace channel shadow before the plugin was explicitly trusted. A malicious workspace plugin that claimed a bundled channel id could execute during channel setup even while still disabled.

Impact

A cloned workspace could turn channel setup for a built-in channel into unintended in-process code execution from an untrusted workspace plugin. This bypassed the intended workspace-plugin trust boundary during setup and login.

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)

• 53c29df2a9eb242a70d0ff29f3d1e67c8d6801f0 — ignore untrusted workspace channel shadows during setup resolution

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 @zpbrent for reporting.