CVE-2026-100578: OpenClaw before 2026.7.1 Authorization Bypass via chat.send

Severity: high (CVSS 7.6 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 2026-09-28
Weakness: CWE-269

Description

OpenClaw (npm package `openclaw`) before 2026.7.1 fails to restrict owner-only infrastructure tools exposed through the chat.send endpoint. In Gateway deployments using authentication modes that honor caller identity and narrower operator scopes, a write-scoped non-owner caller can start a chat turn whose tool inventory includes the `gateway` and `cron` tools, causing the agent to invoke owner-only configuration or scheduling operations, including persistent state changes. Practical impact depends on the tools selected by the model and the caller's ability to steer the turn. Shared-secret token and password callers are treated as fully trusted operators under OpenClaw's security model and are outside the scope of this issue. The issue is fixed in 2026.7.1; as a workaround, restrict chat.send to administrators in identity-bearing deployments and remove `gateway` and `cron` from affected agent tool policies.

Affected products

OpenClaw: before 2026.7.1 — fixed in 2026.7.1

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: OpenClaw 2026.7.1. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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