Cline Supply Chain Attack Detected: cline@2.3.0 Silently Installs OpenClaw
Version 2.3.0 of the npm package cline was found to silently install OpenClaw, a malicious payload. The attack was detected and the incident is contained.
- Disclosed
- Last updated
- Blast radius
- Users of cline v2.3.0 who installed the affected version.
- Ecosystems
- Attack vectors
- Affected entities
- cline · 2.3.0
A supply chain attack was detected targeting the npm package cline, with version 2.3.0 containing malicious code that silently installs OpenClaw. The compromised package version silently introduces an additional dependency or payload without user knowledge or consent.\n\nThe attack was identified by StepSecurity and publicly disclosed on April 9, 2026. The incident represents a direct compromise of the package distribution, likely through unauthorized modifications to the published artifact or maintainer account compromise.\n\nUsers who installed cline@2.3.0 are potentially affected. The attack has been contained following detection and disclosure.
Indicators of compromise
- Packages
- cline@2.3.0
Remediation
- Immediately uninstall or downgrade from cline@2.3.0 to a known-safe prior version
- Audit systems that installed cline@2.3.0 for signs of OpenClaw or related malicious activity
- Review npm package lock files and dependency trees to identify affected installations
- Monitor for suspicious processes or network connections associated with OpenClaw
- Update to a patched version of cline once released by maintainers
- Consider using package integrity verification tools to detect similar attacks in the future
Sources
Cite this entry
"Cline Supply Chain Attack Detected: cline@2.3.0 Silently Installs OpenClaw." supplychainattack.org, Supply Chain Attack Incident Catalog. Disclosed April 9, 2026; last updated June 7, 2026. https://supplychainattack.org/incident/cline-supply-chain-attack-detected-cline-2-3-0-silently-installs-openclaw-fw2a0t
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