CVE-2026-100561: OpenClaw before 2026.8.1 Authentication Bypass via Exec Wrapper

Severity: high (CVSS 8.0 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.2% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-09-26 · updated 2026-09-29
Weakness: CWE-88

Description

OpenClaw (npm package 'openclaw') versions >= 2026.3.22 and < 2026.8.1 contain an approval-bypass flaw in the exec approval policy: the policy could trust a command-running wrapper without inspecting the command carried in its arguments. After an operator allowlisted or permanently approved a benign wrapper invocation, a later agent turn could substitute an arbitrary inner command and execute it with the OpenClaw process's host privileges without a further approval prompt. Exploitation requires the relevant wrapper to resolve on the host and a prior operator decision allowing that wrapper. Transparent shell carriers and opaque utilities such as process monitors, tracers, namespace tools, and proxy wrappers were affected through related trust-resolution gaps. Fixed in 2026.8.1.

Affected products

OpenClaw: from 2026.3.22 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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