CVE-2026-22172
OpenClaw: WebSocket shared-auth connections could self-declare elevated scopes
Impact
### Summary A logic flaw in the OpenClaw gateway WebSocket connect path allowed certain device-less shared-token or password-authenticated backend connections to keep client-declared scopes without server-side binding. A shared-authenticated client could present elevated scopes such as `operator.admin` even though those scopes were not tied to a device identity or an explicitly trusted Control UI path. ### Impact This crossed the intended authorization boundary and could let a shared-secret-authenticated backend client perform admin-only gateway operations. ### Affected versions `openclaw` `<= 2026.3.11` ### Patch Fixed in `openclaw` `2026.3.12`. The gateway now clears unbound scopes for non-Control-UI shared-auth connections, and regression tests cover the device-less shared-auth path.
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | openclaw | <= 2026.3.11 | 2026.3.12 |
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|
| Openclaw | Openclaw | before 2026.3.12 |
Weakness classification
References
- NVD record
- CVE.org record
- GitHub advisory
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rqpp-rjj8-7wv8
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-scope-elevation-in-websocket-shared-auth-connections
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-rqpp-rjj8-7wv8
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/pull/44306
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/5e389d5e7c9233ec91026ab2fea299ebaf3249f6
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.3.12