Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: /api/channels gateway-auth boundary bypass via path canonicalization mismatch (CVE-2026-32031)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions from 2026.1.29 up to but not including 2026.2.26 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in the gateway authentication for plugin channel HTTP routes. This occurs due to a mismatch in path canonicalization between the gateway guard and the plugin handler routing, allowing unauthorized access to plugin channel APIs. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-32031 and has a moderate severity rating.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.8medium
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in OpenClaw CLI arises because the gateway authentication only applies when the raw request path exactly matches '/api/channels' or '/api/channels/*'. However, if the plugin handler canonicalizes the path differently (e.g., decoding URI components and converting to lowercase), requests such as '/API/channels/nostr/default/profile' or '/api/channels%2Fnostr%2Fdefault%2Fprofile' can bypass the gateway auth guard. This results in an authentication boundary bypass under conditions where path canonicalization differs, allowing unauthorized callers to access plugin channel APIs that should require authentication. The issue is classified under CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel) and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3 (moderate).
Potential Impact
Unauthorized users may bypass gateway authentication and gain access to plugin channel HTTP routes that are intended to be protected. This could lead to unauthorized information disclosure and modification of plugin channel data, but does not affect availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should upgrade OpenClaw CLI to version 2026.2.26 or later where this issue is fixed. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-32031
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ac245bd12601ec6a3166bec
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:25:33 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 13:04:14 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:37 UTC
Views: 1
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