CVE-2026-55249: @rtk-ai/rtk-rewrite transparently rewrites shell commands executed via OpenClaw's exec tool to their RTK equiv

Routine

MEDIUM 6.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2026-55249 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.3) affecting rtk-rewrite. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

@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. Becau

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 54%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2026-06-23
Last modified	2026-10-25

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: rtkai

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-23 19:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 23:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rtkai rtk-rewrite DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rtk-rewrite || rpm -q rtk-rewrite || rtk-rewrite --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rtk-rewrite sudo apt install rtk-rewrite=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold rtk-rewrite

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rtk-rewrite sudo dnf downgrade rtk-rewrite-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rtk-rewrite

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-55249?

rtk-rewrite: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-55249 being exploited?

CVE-2026-55249 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-55249 affect?

CVE-2026-55249 affects rtk-rewrite. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.3). @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()

How urgent is CVE-2026-55249?

Priority 39/100. Public exploit reference

References

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