CVE-2026-42432
Privilege Escalation in OpenClaw Allows Unauthorized Exec Commands
Publication date: 2026-04-28
Last updated on: 2026-04-30
Assigner: VulnCheck
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| openclaw | openclaw | to 2026.4.8 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-863 | The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The provided information does not specify any direct impact of this vulnerability on compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-42432 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in OpenClaw versions before 2026.4.8. It allows previously paired nodes to reconnect using commands capable of executing privileged operations without requiring the usual operator.admin scope or re-pairing authentication.
This means an attacker who has access to a previously paired node can bypass security restrictions and execute privileged commands on the local assistant system, effectively escalating their privileges.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized execution of privileged commands on the local assistant system, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
- Attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms intended to restrict command execution.
- Previously paired nodes can be exploited to gain elevated privileges without operator approval.
- The system's security boundaries can be breached, allowing malicious actions that could disrupt normal operations or leak sensitive information.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, you should upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.4.8 or later, where the issue has been fixed.
This update addresses the privilege escalation vulnerability by enforcing proper operator.admin scope requirements during node pairing reconnect commands.