CVE-2026-100556 in openclaw
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2026
OpenClaw (npm package openclaw) versions >= 2026.5.2 and < 2026.8.1 contain an incorrect authorization vulnerability in WhatsApp group handling. A group sender who is admitted for ordinary messages but denied by commands.allowFrom or owner command authorization can issue the /new <model> command to reset the shared group session and persist a provider and model override. This allows a command-denied group member to select a provider and model already permitted by the operator for subsequent turns in the shared group session, potentially changing provider routing, cost, data flow, or availability. It does not allow adding a new provider or host command execution. The issue is fixed in version 2026.8.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within OpenClaw versions ranging from 2026.5.2 up to but excluding 2026.8.1 represents a critical flaw in the authorization logic governing WhatsApp group interactions, specifically concerning session management and command execution permissions. This issue stems from an incorrect implementation of access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user privileges when manipulating shared state within multi-user chat environments. In typical operation, OpenClaw utilizes a configuration file where operators define specific rules for who is permitted to execute commands versus those restricted to sending ordinary messages. The vulnerability arises because the system does not adequately isolate session reset operations from command execution restrictions, allowing users with limited permissions to indirectly influence high-privilege settings through state manipulation rather than direct command invocation.
Technically, the flaw centers on the /new <model> command functionality which is designed to reset the shared group session and allow for the selection of a specific AI provider and model. Under normal security expectations, this action should be restricted to users explicitly granted authorization via the commands.allowFrom configuration or those holding owner privileges. However, due to the logic error, an adversary who has been denied command execution rights can still trigger this reset mechanism if they are admitted as a standard participant in the WhatsApp group. By issuing the /new <model> command, these unauthorized actors can override the default provider and model settings for the entire shared session. This effectively bypasses the intended access control boundaries because the system treats the session initialization or re-initialization process with less scrutiny than direct command execution, failing to check if the initiator has sufficient privileges to alter global group state variables related to backend routing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized users to dictate how AI services are routed for all participants in a WhatsApp group. By forcing a specific provider and model override, an attacker can manipulate data flow paths, potentially exposing sensitive conversation history to different third-party APIs than intended by the organization or individual operator. This may lead to unexpected costs if higher-tier providers are selected, or it could result in service availability issues if less reliable models are forced upon the group. Furthermore, this manipulation compromises the integrity of the interaction context, as subsequent turns in the shared session will adhere to the attacker-chosen configuration rather than the administrator-defined policy. It is important to note that while this vulnerability allows for provider and model selection changes, it does not permit the addition of entirely new providers or hosts beyond those already configured in the system, nor does it allow for arbitrary host command execution on the underlying infrastructure, thereby limiting the scope of potential exploitation to configuration hijacking rather than full remote code execution.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Control, as well as CWE-862, Missing Authorization, since the application fails to enforce proper access controls on session management functions. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior is consistent with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and configuration manipulation, specifically where an actor leverages a lower-privileged account to modify system settings that should be restricted to higher privileges. The attack vector involves local interaction within the chat interface rather than remote network exploitation, classifying it as an adjacent or locally exploitable vulnerability depending on how the WhatsApp service is accessed by the victim group members.
To mitigate this risk, organizations and individuals using OpenClaw must immediately upgrade to version 2026.8.1 where these authorization checks have been corrected. Until such upgrades are applied, administrators should consider restricting who can join WhatsApp groups that utilize OpenClaw services or implementing additional external monitoring for unusual session reset activities. It is also advisable to review the commands.allowFrom configuration to ensure that only trusted entities are granted even basic participation rights in sensitive group chats where AI model selection impacts data privacy and operational costs. Regular audits of access control lists and strict adherence to the principle of least privilege remain essential defenses against such logic flaws, ensuring that state-changing operations like session resets are subject to the same rigorous authorization checks as direct command executions.