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Medium

OpenClaw node pairing reconnection state mutation approval scope bypass

IdentifiersCVE-2026-53838CWE-367· Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU)…

CVE-2026-53838 affects OpenClaw versions before 2026.5.27. The vulnerability is described as a state mutation flaw in the node pairing reconnection logic. During reconnection, paired nodes can cause approval scope decisions to become confused, allowing a node to restore or present broader authority than was intended. In practical terms, the vulnerable reconnection path can incorrectly preserve, reapply, or expose a wider approval scope for a paired node than policy should allow, creating an authorization bypass condition tied to node state handling.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

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Successful exploitation can allow an attacker controlling or interacting as a paired node to bypass approval restrictions by regaining or presenting broader node authority than intended. This can undermine trust and authorization boundaries between paired nodes and may permit unauthorized actions within OpenClaw that depend on approval scope decisions. The provided CVSS information indicates potentially severe security impact.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate upgrade is not possible, limit or disable exposure of vulnerable node pairing and reconnection workflows where feasible, closely review and revalidate node pairing approvals after reconnect events, and monitor for anomalous authority restoration or approval-scope changes involving paired nodes. Specific vendor mitigation guidance beyond upgrading is not available in the provided content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.5.27 or later, which is the stated fixed version in the available advisory information.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

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EXPOSURE SURFACE

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VendorProductType
OpenclawOpenclawapplication

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Threat actor evidence

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