CVE-2026-31989 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2026
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.1 contain a server-side request forgery vulnerability in web_search citation redirect resolution that uses a private-network-allowing SSRF policy. An attacker who can influence citation redirect targets can trigger internal-network requests from the OpenClaw host to loopback, private, or internal destinations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-31989 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within OpenClaw software versions prior to 2026.3.1. This security weakness specifically affects the web_search citation redirect resolution functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate internal network communications. The flaw stems from an overly permissive SSRF policy that permits requests to private network addresses, fundamentally compromising the security boundaries of the affected system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices, particularly in how external inputs are processed and validated.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to influence citation redirect targets through crafted input parameters that are then processed by the web_search functionality. When the system attempts to resolve these citation redirects, it executes requests to internal destinations including loopback addresses, private network ranges, and other internal systems that should remain isolated from external access. This behavior aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery vulnerabilities where attackers can manipulate server-side requests to access internal resources. The flaw essentially enables a form of internal network reconnaissance and potential exploitation of internal services that would normally be protected by network segmentation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform internal network scanning and potentially access sensitive internal services. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to probe internal systems, identify running services, and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities within the internal network. The attack surface increases significantly because the vulnerability allows access to loopback interfaces, which often host administrative services, database connections, or other critical internal components that should not be directly accessible from external or even internal network clients. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1016 which covers network service scanning, and T1046 which involves network service discovery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of version updates to OpenClaw 2026.3.1 or later, which presumably contain the necessary fixes to address the SSRF policy issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict outbound connections from the OpenClaw host to internal destinations, particularly blocking access to loopback and private network ranges. Input validation and sanitization should be enhanced to ensure that any user-supplied citation redirect targets are properly validated and restricted to legitimate external domains only. Additionally, implementing a whitelist approach for allowed redirect destinations and employing proper network access controls can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing, particularly around input handling and network communication functions.