CVE-2026-16121 in GoClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2026
A vulnerability was identified in nextlevelbuilder GoClaw up to 3.13.2. Affected is the function isSafeBin of the file internal/tools/exec_approval.go. The manipulation leads to improper authorization. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2026
The vulnerability in nextlevelbuilder GoClaw version 3.13.2 and earlier represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the software's security controls. This issue resides within the internal/tools/exec_approval.go file where the isSafeBin function fails to properly validate execution permissions, creating a pathway for unauthorized system access. The flaw allows attackers to bypass intended security restrictions through remote exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the software may be exposed to external threats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the isSafeBin function which should verify whether binary execution is permitted but instead provides insufficient authorization checks. This weakness enables malicious actors to manipulate the function's behavior through remote inputs, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or access restricted system resources. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using GoClaw software as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems that should be protected by the application's built-in execution approval mechanisms. The publicly available exploit means that threat actors do not require advanced technical skills or specialized tools to leverage this weakness, increasing the probability of successful attacks. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise depending on the software's deployment environment and associated privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues, specifically targeting inadequate authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. From an adversary perspective, this flaw maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves privilege escalation through local or remote execution of malicious code. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to version 3.13.3 or later, implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, and monitoring for suspicious execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies must include comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the software are updated promptly, along with network-based controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the affected application's interfaces. Security teams should implement behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous execution patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of similar applications within their environment to identify potential analogous vulnerabilities in other software components that may share similar authorization implementation flaws.
The presence of a publicly available exploit significantly elevates the risk profile of this vulnerability and necessitates urgent remediation efforts. Security controls should be implemented immediately while maintaining continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts, as the combination of remote exploit availability and the nature of the authorization bypass creates an environment where successful attacks are likely to occur with minimal effort from threat actors.