OpenClaw (npm package 'openclaw') versions >= 2026.3.22 and < 2026.8.1 contain an approval-bypass flaw in the exec approval policy: the policy could trust a command-running wrapper without inspecting the command carried in its arguments
Affects openclawSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.0 High : upgrade to 2026.8.1 soon.
Data as of 9 Nov 2026, 23:24 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 16% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2026.8.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 26 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 10 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade openclaw to 2026.8.1.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
npmopenclawpkg:npm/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
Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.8.1 or later where the approval-bypass flaw is fixed. No other mitigation is indicated or required according to the available data.
Description
OpenClaw (npm package 'openclaw') versions >= 2026.3.22 and < 2026.8.1 contain an approval-bypass flaw in the exec approval policy: the policy could trust a command-running wrapper without inspecting the command carried in its arguments. After an operator allowlisted or permanently approved a benign wrapper invocation, a later agent turn could substitute an arbitrary inner command and execute it with the OpenClaw process's host privileges without a further approval prompt. Exploitation requires the relevant wrapper to resolve on the host and a prior operator decision allowing that wrapper. Transparent shell carriers and opaque utilities such as process monitors, tracers, namespace tools, and proxy wrappers were affected through related trust-resolution gaps. Fixed in 2026.8.1.