Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Bundled MCP/LSP tools could bypass configured tool policy (CVE-2026-44998)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions prior to 2026.4.20 contain a local agent policy enforcement bypass vulnerability. Bundled MCP and LSP tools could bypass restrictive tool policies configured by an operator, such as allow/deny lists or sandbox restrictions. This could allow tools that should have been denied by policy to remain available. The issue requires a configured bundled MCP or LSP tool source and restrictive local policy. It does not allow unauthenticated remote compromise. The vulnerability is fixed in version 2026.4.20.
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
OpenClaw CLI versions before 2026.4.20 have a vulnerability where bundled MCP and LSP tools are appended to the agent's effective tool set after the normal tool-policy pipeline filtering. This allows these bundled tools to bypass configured restrictive policies including tool profiles, explicit allow/deny lists, owner-only restrictions, sandbox policies, and subagent policies. The bypass requires a configured bundled MCP or LSP tool source and a restrictive operator policy. This is a local agent policy enforcement bypass, not a remote gateway compromise. The issue is resolved by applying a final effective tool policy pass to bundled MCP/LSP tools before merging them into the tool set used in normal runs and compaction. The fix was introduced in OpenClaw version 2026.4.20.
Potential Impact
Operators using restrictive tool policies to limit tool availability could have those policies bypassed for bundled MCP/LSP tools, potentially allowing unauthorized tool usage within the local agent environment. This could weaken local security controls but does not enable remote unauthenticated access or compromise.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OpenClaw CLI to version 2026.4.20 or later, which includes a fix applying a final effective tool policy pass to bundled MCP/LSP tools. This ensures restrictive policies are enforced correctly. No additional mitigation is required if upgraded.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-44998
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ac2459012601ec6a31641e3
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:48 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:39:08 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:38 UTC
Views: 2
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