CVE-2026-100535: OpenClaw before 2026.8.1 Privilege Escalation via Session Memory

Severity: high (CVSS 7.5 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.3% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-09-26 · updated 2026-10-05
Weakness: CWE-863

Description

OpenClaw (npm package 'openclaw') versions >= 2026.4.5 and < 2026.8.1 can lose the originating requester's restrictions and untrusted provenance when session-derived text is persisted to session memory. In deployments where session-memory capture and dreaming are enabled, a restricted external sender whose messages are admitted with limited tools can persist instructions that are later supplied to an unattended background (dreaming) agent holding broader file and command capabilities, allowing actions beyond the authority of the original turn and affecting files, commands, or services available to that agent. Exploitation requires the content to be captured, selected for later processing, and followed by the model. The issue is fixed in 2026.8.1.

Affected products

OpenClaw: from 2026.4.5 before 2026.8.1 — fixed in 2026.8.1

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: OpenClaw 2026.8.1. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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