Critical severity · published Mar 20, 2026
CVE-2026-22172
OpenClaw < 2026.3.12 - Scope Elevation in WebSocket Shared-Auth Connections
9.9
CVSS
0.6%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.12 contain an authorization bypass vulnerability in the WebSocket connect path that allows shared-token or password-authenticated connections to self-declare elevated scopes without server-side binding. Attackers can exploit this logic flaw to present unauthorized scopes such as operator.admin and perform admin-only gateway operations.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.6% · higher than 47% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
OP
OpenClaw · OpenClaw
before 2026.3.12 · source: vendor, NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22172
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-22172
Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rqpp-rjj8-7wv8
Third Party Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-scope-elevation-in-websocket-shared-auth-connections
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