OpenClaw: Pairing-scoped device tokens could mint `operator.admin` and reach node RCE
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Privilege escalation
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-269.
Summary
## Summary In affected versions of `openclaw`, a caller holding only `operator.pairing` could use `device.token.rotate` to mint a new token with broader scopes for an already paired device. If the target device was approved for `operator.admin`, the attacker could obtain an administrative token without already holding administrative scope. ## Impact This is a critical authorization flaw. On deployments with connected node hosts or companion apps that expose `system.run`, the escalated token could then modify node execution approvals and reach real remote code execution on the node. Even without nodes, the flaw still granted unauthorized gateway-admin access. ## Affected Packages and Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `<= 2026.3.8` - Fixed in: `2026.3.11` ## Technical Details `device.token.rotate` accepted caller-supplied target scopes and validated them against the target device's approved scopes, but it did not constrain the newly minted scopes to the caller's own current scope set. That allowed a pairing-scoped caller to mint a broader token for an already paired administrative device. ## Fix OpenClaw now enforces caller-scope subsetting in `device.token.rotate`, preventing callers from minting device tokens broader than the scopes they already hold. The fix shipped in `[email protected]`. ## Workarounds Upgrade to `2026.3.11` or later.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | openclaw (npm) | before 2026.3.11 | 2026.3.11 | Patch available | GHSA-4jpw-hj22-2xmc |
- openclaw (npm) Vendor— Affected before 2026.3.11 Fixed in 2026.3.11 Patch available GHSA-4jpw-hj22-2xmc
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-4jpw-hj22-2xmc openclaw (npm) Fixed in 2026.3.11 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-4jpw-hj22-2xmc
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences