Authorization Bypass in OpenClaw via Flock Wrapper

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-62190 is an authorization bypass vulnerability found in OpenClaw versions before 2026.6.9. The issue exists in the flock wrapper, which is a component responsible for managing file locks or similar synchronization mechanisms.

This vulnerability allows lower-trust callers—users or processes with limited permissions—to execute or persist actions beyond their intended authorization level. Attackers can exploit configured input paths to bypass the durable exec approval binding, which is meant to restrict certain operations.

When the affected feature is enabled, this flaw can be leveraged to perform unauthorized operations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive functionality.

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Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability requires checking if the affected OpenClaw version is installed and whether the vulnerable flock wrapper feature is enabled. Since the vulnerability involves an authorization bypass via configured input paths, you should inspect the system for OpenClaw installations and review its configuration files for enabled features related to the flock wrapper.

• Check the installed version of OpenClaw using the package manager or binary version command. For example, if OpenClaw provides a version flag, run: openclaw --version or check the package repository (e.g., rpm -qa | grep openclaw or dpkg -l | grep openclaw).
• Review OpenClaw configuration files for any enabled flock wrapper settings. Look for configuration files in typical paths like /etc/openclaw/, /usr/local/etc/openclaw/, or within the application's installation directory.
• Inspect system logs for unusual or unauthorized execution of actions by lower-trust callers. Logs may be located in /var/log/openclaw/ or the system's default logging directory.
• Monitor network traffic for unexpected or unauthorized operations originating from OpenClaw processes, particularly if the application interacts with external systems.

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Impact Analysis

If you are using a vulnerable version of OpenClaw (before 2026.6.9), this vulnerability could have several impacts:

• Unauthorized actions: Attackers with lower privileges could execute operations they are not authorized to perform, potentially gaining control over sensitive processes or data.
• Privilege escalation: The vulnerability may allow attackers to escalate their privileges within the system, enabling them to perform actions reserved for higher-privileged users or administrators.
• Data integrity risks: Unauthorized operations could lead to data manipulation, corruption, or unauthorized persistence of changes, affecting the reliability of the system.
• Security bypass: The flaw undermines the intended authorization controls, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security mechanisms designed to restrict access to certain functionalities.

The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 (High) and CVSS v4.0 score of 8.7 (High) indicate that this vulnerability poses a significant risk, particularly in environments where the affected feature is enabled.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could impact compliance with several common standards and regulations, depending on the context in which OpenClaw is used:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If the vulnerability leads to unauthorized access or manipulation of personal data, it could result in a breach of GDPR requirements. GDPR mandates strict controls over data access and integrity, and a failure to prevent unauthorized actions could lead to non-compliance, fines, or legal consequences.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): In healthcare environments, if OpenClaw is used to handle protected health information (PHI), this vulnerability could expose PHI to unauthorized access or modification. HIPAA requires safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI, and a breach could result in violations.
• ISO 27001: This standard requires organizations to implement access control and authorization mechanisms to protect information assets. The authorization bypass vulnerability directly undermines these controls, potentially leading to non-compliance with ISO 27001 requirements.
• PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): If OpenClaw is involved in processing payment card data, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of cardholder data, violating PCI DSS requirements for access control and data protection.

Organizations using OpenClaw should assess whether the affected feature is enabled and take corrective actions to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, follow these immediate steps to reduce exposure and prevent unauthorized operations.

• Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.6.9 or later, as this version contains fixes for the authorization bypass vulnerability. If an upgrade is not immediately possible, apply any available patches provided by the vendor.
• Disable the flock wrapper feature if it is not required for your use case. This can typically be done by modifying the OpenClaw configuration files to remove or comment out the relevant settings.
• Restrict access to OpenClaw's input paths to trusted users and processes only. Ensure that file permissions and access controls are properly configured to prevent lower-trust callers from exploiting the vulnerability.
• Implement network-level controls, such as firewalls or intrusion prevention systems, to block unauthorized access to OpenClaw services or ports.
• Monitor systems for signs of exploitation, such as unusual process execution or unauthorized changes to files or configurations. Set up alerts for suspicious activity.
• Review and audit user permissions to ensure that only authorized users have access to OpenClaw and its features. Remove unnecessary privileges from lower-trust accounts.

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