CVE-2026-62194 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
OpenClaw versions 2026.5.20 before 2026.6.9 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability in plugin install commands that allows lower-trust callers to execute or persist actions beyond their intended authorization. Attackers can exploit misconfigured input paths or enabled features to escalate privileges and perform unauthorized actions when the feature is reachable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability resides within the OpenClaw software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 2026.6.9, where a privilege escalation flaw exists in the plugin installation command functionality. The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authorization checks during plugin installation processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges beyond what is normally permitted. When users with lower trust levels execute plugin installation commands, the system fails to properly verify the legitimacy of the input paths or the caller's authorization level, allowing unauthorized code execution and persistence mechanisms to be established.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the system. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to maintain long-term access and control over affected systems, particularly when plugin installation features are exposed to untrusted users or when input path configurations are misconfigured. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes plugin installation commands without adequate sanitization of input parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject unauthorized commands or manipulate file paths to gain elevated privileges.
Security practitioners should recognize this issue as aligning with CWE-269 which addresses improper privilege management and CWE-78 which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system access to escalate privileges. Organizations using OpenClaw should immediately implement input validation controls that sanitize all plugin installation parameters and enforce strict authorization checks before executing any privileged operations.
The recommended mitigations include implementing comprehensive input validation for all plugin installation commands, enforcing mandatory authorization checks for privilege escalation scenarios, and restricting plugin installation capabilities to authorized users only. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their plugin installation processes to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other system components. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to plugin installation features and establish monitoring controls to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper access control implementation in software systems and highlights the need for continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such issues from reaching production environments.
This flaw represents a significant security risk that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to plugin installation features. The combination of weak input validation and insufficient privilege checks creates an exploitable condition that can lead to complete system compromise when the vulnerability is successfully leveraged. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement additional security controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases through proper secure coding practices and comprehensive security testing procedures.