Protection Mechanism Failure in Mosaxiv Clawlet

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-15618 is a security flaw in mosaxiv clawlet versions up to 0.2.10. The vulnerability exists in the `guardExecCommand` function within the file `tools/tool_exec.go`, which is part of the exec Safety Guard component.

The issue involves a protection mechanism failure where the safety guard designed to block dangerous shell commands (e.g., `rm -rf`) can be bypassed. The guard only checks the outer command string and does not account for commands wrapped inside an inline interpreter payload. For example, an attacker can use a command like `python3 -c "__import__('os').remove('target.txt')"` to execute destructive actions despite the guard's checks.

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to launch attacks by exploiting this bypass. The exploit has been publicly released, increasing the risk of it being used maliciously. The GitHub issue related to this vulnerability was closed with the label 'not planned'.

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Detection Guidance

To detect the vulnerability CVE-2026-15618 on your network or system, you can check for the presence of the affected software, mosaxiv clawlet, and verify its version. The vulnerability affects versions up to and including 0.2.10.

• Identify if clawlet is installed by running: `clawlet --version` or checking the installation directory.
• If clawlet is installed, compare the version number with 0.2.10. If the version is 0.2.10 or lower, the system is vulnerable.

You can also test for the vulnerability by attempting to execute a wrapped command that bypasses the exec safety guard. For example, try running a command like:

• `clawlet exec --command "python3 -c \"__import__('os').remove('testfile.txt')\""`

If the command executes successfully and deletes the file (or performs another restricted action), the system is vulnerable. If the command is blocked, the safety guard is functioning as intended for direct commands but may still be bypassable with wrapped payloads.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have several impacts if exploited:

• Destructive filesystem actions: An attacker can delete, modify, or corrupt files within the restricted workspace of the clawlet process.
• Arbitrary code execution: The vulnerability allows the execution of arbitrary interpreter logic (e.g., Python, Bash) under the privileges of the clawlet process, which could lead to further compromise of the system.
• Remote exploitation: Since the attack can be launched remotely, an attacker does not need physical or local access to the system to exploit the vulnerability.
• Privilege escalation risks: If the clawlet process runs with elevated privileges, the attacker could gain those privileges, leading to broader system compromise.

The CVSS scores indicate a moderate to high severity, with potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could impact compliance with common standards and regulations in the following ways:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If the clawlet process handles or has access to personal data, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, modification, or deletion of such data. This could result in a data breach, triggering GDPR's breach notification requirements and potential fines for non-compliance.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): If clawlet is used in a healthcare environment and processes protected health information (PHI), the vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or alteration of PHI. This would violate HIPAA's security and privacy rules, potentially resulting in penalties and mandatory corrective actions.
• Other standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST): The vulnerability represents a failure in implementing adequate security controls to protect against unauthorized code execution and data manipulation. This could lead to non-compliance with requirements for secure system configuration, access control, and risk management.

Organizations using clawlet should assess whether the software processes sensitive or regulated data and take steps to mitigate the vulnerability to avoid compliance violations.

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the vulnerability CVE-2026-15618, follow these immediate steps:

• Upgrade clawlet to a version higher than 0.2.10 if available. Check the project's GitHub repository for the latest release.
• If no patched version is available, disable the `exec` tool in clawlet to prevent exploitation. This can be done by removing or commenting out the `exec` tool from the tool registry or configuration files.
• Restrict access to clawlet by limiting its use to trusted users and environments. Avoid exposing clawlet to untrusted networks or inputs.
• Monitor clawlet processes and logs for suspicious activity, such as unexpected command executions or interpreter invocations.
• Implement additional safeguards at the system level, such as filesystem permissions and process isolation, to limit the impact of potential exploits.

Since the GitHub issue was closed with the label 'not planned,' there may not be an official fix. Consider alternative tools or workarounds if the vulnerability poses a significant risk to your environment.

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