CVE-2026-62215 in OpenClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2026
OpenClaw versions before 2026.6.5 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in HTTP Canvas responses that allows lower-trust callers to forge trusted A2UI actions. Attackers can perform actions requiring stronger authorization by submitting crafted requests through configured input paths, bypassing intended policy checks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2026
The OpenClaw authentication bypass vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's access control mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2026.6.5 and resides within the HTTP Canvas response handling component of the software architecture. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit improperly validated input paths, allowing them to escalate their privileges from lower-trust to higher-trust caller status. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate the authenticity of A2UI actions submitted through configured input pathways, creating an attack surface where unauthorized operations can be executed with elevated privileges. This issue directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper authorization enforcement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP Canvas responses within the authentication framework. When legitimate users submit requests through designated input paths, the system should verify that the originating caller possesses sufficient authorization levels to perform the requested A2UI actions. However, the flaw allows attackers to craft specific requests that appear to originate from trusted sources while actually being generated by lower-privilege entities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages weaknesses in request validation logic, where input paths are not adequately checked for authenticity or authorization status. This authentication bypass creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors can execute operations that should be restricted to higher-trust callers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive system compromise through the manipulation of A2UI actions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform critical system functions that require stronger authorization levels, effectively bypassing the security controls designed to prevent such operations. The consequences include potential data exfiltration, system modification, privilege escalation to administrative accounts, and unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as affected versions are deployed, allowing attackers to maintain access and continue exploiting the flaw across multiple sessions. This type of authentication bypass represents a severe weakness in the security architecture and significantly increases the attack surface for potential compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 2026.6.5 or later, which includes corrected validation logic for HTTP Canvas responses and proper authorization checks for A2UI actions. Organizations must also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and access control lists to restrict access to input paths that are vulnerable to this attack. The implementation of additional security layers including request validation middleware and enhanced logging mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions within their environments and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) and technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) for exploitation purposes.
The root cause analysis reveals that this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate separation of concerns within the authentication framework. The system should enforce strict authorization checks at multiple points in the request processing pipeline, ensuring that A2UI actions cannot be forged or manipulated by unauthorized entities. Security controls must be implemented to validate caller identity and authorization status before executing any privileged operations, regardless of the input path used for submission. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous patterns in authentication attempts and alert security teams to potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The fix requires comprehensive testing to ensure that all input paths properly validate authentication credentials and maintain proper authorization boundaries between different trust levels within the system architecture.