CVE-2026-32014 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.26 contain a metadata spoofing vulnerability where reconnect platform and deviceFamily fields are accepted from the client without being bound into the device-auth signature. An attacker with a paired node identity on the trusted network can spoof reconnect metadata to bypass platform-based node command policies and gain access to restricted commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-32014 affects OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.26 and represents a critical metadata spoofing flaw that undermines the security posture of connected device ecosystems. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern device reconnection processes within the OpenClaw framework, specifically targeting how platform and device family information is validated during node reauthentication scenarios. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and signature binding processes that fail to properly secure metadata fields used during device reconnect operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker with a valid paired node identity on a trusted network to manipulate reconnect metadata fields including platform and deviceFamily information. These fields are accepted from client-side requests without proper cryptographic binding to the device-auth signature, creating a pathway for unauthorized metadata manipulation. The vulnerability manifests when the system accepts these unvalidated fields during reconnection processes, effectively bypassing platform-based node command policies that should restrict access to sensitive operations. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of device authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to restricted commands that should be limited to specific platform types or device families. The attacker can essentially masquerade as different device types or platforms, thereby circumventing security policies designed to prevent cross-platform command execution. This capability significantly broadens the attack surface and could lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized device control, or data exfiltration scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where device command policies are strictly enforced based on platform characteristics, as it allows attackers to bypass these protections entirely.
The security implications of CVE-2026-32014 align with CWE-290 authentication bypass vulnerabilities and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1550.002 for use of valid credentials. This vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient validation of security-critical metadata fields, where the system fails to properly verify that reconnect parameters match the authenticated device identity. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory cryptographic binding of reconnect metadata to device authentication signatures, enhanced input validation for platform and deviceFamily fields, and enforcement of strict reconnection policy validation. The recommended remediation involves updating to OpenClaw version 2026.2.26 or later, which includes proper signature binding mechanisms for reconnect metadata fields. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of reconnection events should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability requires network access and a valid paired node identity to exploit effectively.