CVE-2026-62191 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
OpenClaw versions 2026.6.6 before 2026.6.9 contain an authorization bypass vulnerability in message mutation handling that allows lower-trust callers to perform actions requiring stronger authorization checks. Attackers can exploit misconfigured input paths to skip requester authorization and execute privileged operations when the affected feature is enabled and reachable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The OpenClaw software suite version 2026.6.6 through 2026.6.8 contains a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security controls governing message mutation operations. This vulnerability resides in the message processing pipeline where the system fails to properly validate authorization credentials during message transformation workflows, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized actors to escalate their privileges. The flaw manifests when the system processes mutated messages through input paths that have been misconfigured or improperly secured, allowing attackers to bypass standard authentication checks that should normally validate caller identity and privilege level before executing sensitive operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization validation within the message mutation handling component, which operates under the assumption that all incoming messages originate from trusted sources. This design flaw creates a pathway where malicious actors can craft specially formatted requests that appear to come from authorized entities while actually being processed through unsecured input channels. The vulnerability specifically affects the authorization checking mechanisms that should validate user credentials and permissions before allowing message mutation operations to proceed, enabling attackers with lower privilege levels to execute functions that require elevated access rights.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on OpenClaw for mission-critical operations, particularly those involving sensitive data processing or system administration tasks. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as attackers can leverage this bypass to perform actions including but not limited to system configuration changes, data manipulation, access control modifications, and potentially unauthorized system access. When combined with other reconnaissance activities or misconfigurations within the network infrastructure, this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more extensive compromise of affected systems.
The mitigation strategy should focus on implementing robust input validation controls and strengthening authorization checks throughout the message processing pipeline. Organizations should immediately update to OpenClaw version 2026.6.9 or later, which includes patches addressing the authorization bypass vulnerability through enhanced credential verification mechanisms and stricter input path validation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous message mutation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a specific implementation weakness in access control enforcement that maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized system access. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection including API rate limiting, message integrity checks, and comprehensive audit logging to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.