OpenClaw Multiple Security Flaws

OpenClaw versions 2026.2.22 through 2026.2.24 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to bypass device pairing requirements and self-assign elevated operator.admin scopes. Attackers with valid shared gateway authentication credentials can present self-signed unpaired device identities to obtain administrator privileges before pairing approval is granted. This is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) with a patch available from the vendor.

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.25 contain a time-of-check-time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability in the approval-bound system.run execution function where the current working directory (cwd) parameter is validated at approval time but resolved at execution time, allowing attackers with local access and limited privileges to retarget symlinked directories between approval and execution to bypass command execution restrictions and execute arbitrary commands on node hosts. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5 with medium attack complexity but high integrity and availability impact, making it a notable local privilege escalation vector that requires user interaction in the approval workflow.

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.21 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in HTTP gateway routes due to incorrect application of tokenless Tailscale header authentication. Attackers on trusted networks can access HTTP gateway routes without providing required token or password credentials, potentially exposing sensitive functionality. A patch is available from the vendor, and this vulnerability has been disclosed publicly via GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-hff7-ccv5-52f8.

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.2 contain an archive extraction vulnerability that selectively bypasses safety checks for tar.bz2 skill archives while other formats enforce proper validation. An attacker can craft a malicious tar.bz2 skill archive that circumvents special-entry blocking and extracted-size guardrails, causing local denial of service during skill installation when a user interacts with the installer. This is a local, user-interaction-dependent vulnerability with no authentication required, rated CVSS 5.5 (medium severity) with denial of service impact.