CVE-2026-100545 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2026
OpenClaw (npm package `openclaw`) before 2026.8.1 incorrectly enforces sender tool policies during session-memory filename generation. In affected versions, filename generation created an embedded helper that retained tools which the originating sender's policy had removed. When session-memory filename generation was enabled for an agent reachable by lower-trust senders, model-mediated instructions could cause the helper to invoke tools outside that sender's effective policy; the demonstrated impact was the creation of persistent scheduled work. Exploitability depends on the model acting on the injected instruction and on which tools the helper exposes. The issue is fixed in 2026.8.1; as a workaround, disable session-memory filename generation for agents reachable by lower-trust senders.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within versions of the OpenClaw npm package prior to release 2026.8.1 represents a critical failure in access control logic during the initialization and configuration phases of agent sessions. Specifically, the flaw resides in how session-memory filename generation handles sender tool policies. In a secure architecture, when an agent receives instructions from a sender with restricted permissions or lower trust levels, the system must strictly enforce those restrictions to prevent privilege escalation or unauthorized actions. However, OpenClaw incorrectly retained tools within an embedded helper that were explicitly removed by the originating sender's policy. This discrepancy creates a state where the effective capabilities of the agent exceed what was authorized for the specific interaction context, violating the principle of least privilege and allowing lower-trust entities to indirectly access high-privilege functions through misconfigured session states.
From a technical perspective, this issue stems from an improper separation of concerns between policy enforcement mechanisms and runtime helper generation. When session-memory filename generation is enabled, the system creates persistent state files that include embedded helpers designed to maintain context across interactions. The bug causes these helpers to inherit a broader set of tools than intended by the sender's specific policy constraints. Consequently, if an agent reachable by lower-trust senders has this feature active, it becomes susceptible to model-mediated instruction injection. An attacker or malicious actor can leverage large language models to generate persuasive instructions that exploit this misconfiguration. The model may interpret these injected prompts as legitimate requests and direct the helper to invoke tools that were supposed to be inaccessible under the sender's policy framework. This effectively bypasses the intended security boundaries, allowing actions that should have been blocked by the access control layer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly in environments where agents interact with external systems or perform automated tasks. The demonstrated proof-of-concept for this flaw involves the creation of persistent scheduled work. By exploiting the misconfigured helper, an attacker can cause the agent to schedule background jobs or recurring processes that persist beyond the immediate session. This not only leads to resource exhaustion and potential denial of service but also establishes a foothold for further lateral movement within the system. The ability to create persistent artifacts means that even if the initial interaction is terminated, the malicious effects remain active, potentially leading to data exfiltration, unauthorized configuration changes, or disruption of critical business processes depending on which tools are exposed by the helper and their capabilities.
Exploitability for this vulnerability relies heavily on two factors: the behavior of the underlying language model in responding to injected instructions and the specific set of tools available through the misconfigured helper. If the model is prone to following complex or subtle prompts, the risk increases substantially. Furthermore, if the exposed tools include high-privilege functions such as file system manipulation, network communication, or process execution, the potential for damage escalates accordingly. This aligns with CWE Category 269 Improper Privilege Management and specifically CWE 862 Missing Authorization, as the system fails to enforce proper access controls on resources accessible by different user levels. In terms of adversary tactics, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with MITRE ATT&CK T1053 Scheduled Task/Job, allowing attackers to establish persistence through scheduled work items created via compromised agent logic.
To mitigate this risk, organizations using OpenClaw must immediately upgrade to version 2026.8.1 or later, where the issue has been resolved by correcting the policy enforcement during session-memory filename generation. For environments that cannot update immediately due to compatibility constraints, a recommended workaround is to disable session-memory filename generation for any agents that are reachable by lower-trust senders. This restriction ensures that no persistent state containing potentially misconfigured helpers is created in contexts where unauthorized tool access could be exploited. Additionally, security teams should audit their agent configurations to ensure strict adherence to sender policies and implement monitoring for unusual scheduled task creation or unexpected helper invocations. Regular penetration testing focused on prompt injection and privilege escalation scenarios can further help identify similar logic flaws before they are exploited in production environments.