Cybersecurity researchers have identified a significant evolution in infostealer malware behavior with a variant of the Vidar stealer targeting OpenClaw AI agent environments. OpenClaw, an open-source agentic AI platform, stores critical configuration files such as openclaw.json, device.json, and soul.md, which contain gateway authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, and the AI agent's operational principles respectively. The Vidar variant uses a broad file-grabbing routine to exfiltrate these files, rather than a dedicated OpenClaw module, indicating a generalized search for sensitive data in specific directories and file types. The theft of gateway tokens is particularly concerning as it can allow attackers to remotely connect to exposed OpenClaw instances or impersonate the AI agent in authenticated requests, potentially leading to unauthorized access and manipulation of AI-driven workflows. Furthermore, the discovery of hundreds of thousands of exposed OpenClaw instances raises the risk of remote code execution (RCE) attacks, which could allow adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the AI agent, potentially pivoting to other internal resources such as email, APIs, or cloud services. The threat landscape is further complicated by supply chain attacks through malicious AI skills hosted on lookalike OpenClaw websites, which evade VirusTotal scanning by using decoy skill files. Additionally, the inability to delete AI agent accounts on Moltbook, a forum for OpenClaw agents, raises privacy and data retention concerns. OpenClaw's rapid growth since its November 2025 debut and its integration into professional workflows increase the attractiveness of this platform to threat actors. The partnership between OpenClaw maintainers and VirusTotal aims to mitigate some risks by scanning for malicious skills and auditing configurations. However, the evolving tactics of attackers necessitate proactive defensive measures.

For European organizations, the compromise of OpenClaw AI agent configurations and gateway tokens can lead to unauthorized remote access to AI-driven systems, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate automated workflows, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt operations. The theft of cryptographic keys and operational guidelines undermines the confidentiality and integrity of AI agents, which may be integrated into critical business processes. The widespread exposure of OpenClaw instances increases the attack surface for remote code execution exploits, which could facilitate lateral movement within networks and access to sensitive internal resources. Supply chain attacks via malicious AI skills pose additional risks by introducing malware through trusted AI skill registries, potentially affecting organizations relying on OpenClaw for AI automation. The inability to delete AI agent accounts on platforms like Moltbook may raise compliance issues with European data protection regulations such as GDPR, especially concerning data minimization and the right to erasure. Overall, the threat could disrupt AI-enabled workflows, compromise sensitive data, and lead to regulatory and reputational damage for European entities adopting OpenClaw technology.

European organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict external access to OpenClaw gateway ports, minimizing exposure to remote exploitation. Regularly audit and monitor OpenClaw instances for unusual file access or exfiltration behaviors using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored to detect broad file-grabbing routines. Employ strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for AI agent management consoles and associated cloud services. Validate and whitelist AI skills from trusted sources only, leveraging VirusTotal integrations and other threat intelligence feeds to detect malicious or lookalike skill repositories. Conduct regular configuration audits of OpenClaw deployments to identify and remediate misconfigurations that could expose services or credentials. Establish data retention and deletion policies compliant with GDPR, ensuring that AI agent accounts and associated data can be removed when no longer needed. Collaborate with AI platform maintainers to stay informed about security updates and patches. Finally, raise user awareness about the risks of supply chain attacks targeting AI skill registries and encourage reporting of suspicious AI skill behavior.