CVE-2026-44998: OpenClaw before 2026.4.20 contains a tool policy bypass vulnerability allowing bundled MCP and LSP
Affects openclawSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 2.3 Low : upgrade to 2026.4.20 when convenient.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:12 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2026.4.20
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade openclaw/openclaw to 2026.4.20.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
GitHubopenclaw/openclawpkg:github/openclaw/openclawOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available in OpenClaw version 2026.4.20 and later. Users should upgrade to this version or newer to remediate the vulnerability. Until patched, restricting local agent access can reduce risk.
Description
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.4.20 have a vulnerability that allows local attackers with agent access to bypass configured tool restrictions. This flaw enables attackers to append restricted tools to the effective tool set after policy filtering, circumventing multiple security policies including profile policies, allow/deny lists, owner-only restrictions, sandbox policies, and subagent policies.
References
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-qrp5-gfw2-gxv4 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44998 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/0e7a992d3f3155199c1acc2dd9a53c5b3a4d3ada (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-tool-policy-bypass-via-bundled-mcp-lsp-tools (opens in a new tab)