Openclaw cli: OpenClaw: Trusted-proxy Control UI WebSocket accepted client-declared scopes before pairing (CVE-2026-53821)
Description
OpenClaw CLI versions from 2026.1.29 up to but not including 2026.5.18 have a vulnerability in trusted-proxy Control UI mode where WebSocket clients could declare operator scopes before these were properly authorized. This allows an unpaired or restricted trusted-proxy client to gain operator.admin privileges on a live WebSocket connection, enabling admin-level Gateway RPCs until the connection ends or is revalidated. The issue does not affect shared-secret Control UI sessions. A fix is available in version 2026.5.18.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
In OpenClaw CLI's trusted-proxy Control UI mode, the software accepted client-declared operator scopes on WebSocket connections before these scopes were bound to a server-approved pairing or trusted-proxy authorization baseline. This flaw allows an unpaired or restricted trusted-proxy client to obtain cached operator.admin authority on an active WebSocket connection, which can be used to perform admin-gated Gateway RPCs. The vulnerability affects deployments using 'gateway.auth.mode: "trusted-proxy"' and does not impact shared-secret Control UI sessions. The issue is fixed starting with OpenClaw version 2026.5.18.
Potential Impact
An attacker controlling a trusted-proxy Control UI client with restricted or unpaired status can escalate privileges to operator.admin on a live WebSocket connection. This elevated authority enables execution of admin-level Gateway RPCs, potentially compromising the gateway's security until the connection is closed or revalidated.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OpenClaw CLI to version 2026.5.18 or later, which contains the official fix for this vulnerability. Prior to upgrading, restrict trusted-proxy Control UI access to only those users who require the scopes they request. Additionally, restart the gateway after modifying trusted-proxy authorization policies to ensure changes take effect.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BREW-openclaw-cli-CVE-2026-53821
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.3
- Ecosystems
- ["Homebrew"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6ac2458f12601ec6a3164144
Added to database: 10/04/2026, 12:24:47 UTC
Last enriched: 10/04/2026, 12:37:54 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 16:08:39 UTC
Views: 2
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