CVE-2026-53838: openclaw — Fix

Description

OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions. Attackers can exploit reconnection logic to restore or present broader node authority than intended, potentially bypassing approval restrictions.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

9.8

CRITICAL

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0022

Probability of exploitation

0.13%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-367 CWE-367

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
openclaw	openclaw	< 2026.5.27

References

Advisories & Patches

https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-83w9-h5wv-j9xm

Other References

https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-node-pairing-state-mutation-via-reconnection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-53838? +

OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions. Attackers can exploit reconnection logic to restore or present broader node authority than intended, potentially bypassing approval restrictions. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

How severe is CVE-2026-53838? +

CVE-2026-53838 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 out of 10, rated CRITICAL. This is a critical vulnerability that should be patched immediately. The EPSS score is 0.0022, placing it in the 0th percentile for exploitation probability.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-53838? +

CVE-2026-53838 affects products from openclaw, specifically: openclaw. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-53838? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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