Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Shared-secret comparison call sites leaked length information through timing (CVE-2026-41407)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions before 2026.4.2 contained a timing side channel vulnerability in shared-secret comparison call sites. The issue arose because some code paths used early length-mismatch checks instead of a constant-time fixed-length comparison helper, leaking secret length information through timing differences. This vulnerability has low severity and does not directly allow authentication bypass. The flaw was fixed in version 2026.4.2 by reusing the shared secret comparison helper consistently.
CVSS v3.1
Score 3.7low
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Before OpenClaw version 2026.4.2, several shared-secret comparison call sites performed early length-mismatch checks rather than using a shared fixed-length comparison helper designed for constant-time operation. This caused measurable timing differences that could leak information about the length of secrets being compared. While this timing side channel weakens the intended constant-time handling of shared secrets, it does not by itself enable authentication bypass. The vulnerability was patched in OpenClaw 2026.4.2 by updating affected call sites to reuse the shared secret comparison helper.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability exposes a low-severity timing side channel that leaks secret length information during shared-secret comparisons. It does not directly lead to authentication bypass or other critical impacts but weakens the constant-time security guarantees intended to protect secret data.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in OpenClaw version 2026.4.2 and later, which reuses the shared secret comparison helper to ensure constant-time secret comparisons. Users should upgrade to version 2026.4.2 or newer to remediate this issue.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-41407
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ac2459a12601ec6a3165d4e
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:58 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:45:02 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:38 UTC
Views: 2
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