CVE-2026-55249
@rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite transparently rewrites shell commands executed via OpenClaw's exec tool to their RTK equivalents.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.55%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
@rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite transparently rewrites shell commands executed via OpenClaw's exec tool to their RTK equivalents. In 1.0.0, the @rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite OpenClaw plugin passes attacker-controlled input directly into a shell-backed execSync() template string without shell-safe escaping. JSON.stringify() wraps the value in double quotes and escapes inner double-quotes and backslashes, but leaves $() and backtick shell metacharacters untouched. Because execSync delegates execution to /bin/sh -c, the shell expands $(...) substitutions even inside double-quoted strings, causing the injected subcommand to execute before rtk is invoked. An attacker who can influence the exec tool's command parameter (e.g., via an LLM agent prompt or gateway/tool-call input) achieves arbitrary OS command execution with the privileges of the plugin/gateway process.
- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.55% probability · 44th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-78
- Affected
- rtkai/rtk-rewrite
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
References
- https://github.com/rtk-ai/rtk/security/advisories/GHSA-fqgj-m2gp-mr3qExploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
- https://github.com/rtk-ai/rtk/security/advisories/GHSA-fqgj-m2gp-mr3qExploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.