CVE-2026-53821 | OpenClaw before 2026.5.18 accepts WebSocket client-declared … | CVSS 8.8 HIGH

Description

OpenClaw before 2026.5.18 accepts WebSocket client-declared operator scopes before binding to server-approved pairing or trusted-proxy authorization baseline. Unpaired or restricted trusted-proxy Control UI clients can obtain cached operator.admin authority on live WebSocket connections to execute admin-gated Gateway RPCs.

Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2026-53821
State: PUBLISHED
Assigner: VulnCheck
Reserved: 2026-06-10 21:16 UTC
Published: 2026-06-12 21:56 UTC
Last updated: 2026-06-12 21:56 UTC
Primary CWE: CWE-862
Missing Authorization
Vendor / Product: OpenClaw / OpenClaw
Sources: cve.org · NVD

Severity & Metrics

8.8 HIGH CVSS 3.1

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

Affected products (1)

Vendor	Product	Platform	Versions
OpenClaw	OpenClaw	—	0 < 2026.5.18, 2026.5.18

Weakness (CWE)

CWE	Source	Description
CWE-862	cna	Missing Authorization

CVSS scores (2)

Score	Severity	Version	Source	Vector
8.8	HIGH	3.1	cna	CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.7	HIGH	4.0	cna	CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

References (2)

GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-qjpc-qf9m-xwmr) https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-qjpc-qf9m-xwmr
VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw < 2026.5.18 - Scope Elevation in trusted-proxy Control UI WebSocket https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-scope-elevation-in-trusted-proxy-control-ui-websocket