OpenClaw: node.pair.approve missing callerScopes validation allows low-privilege operator to approve malicious nodes

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS 4.0

4.9 · CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U · score source

EPSS

• CVE-2026-33577: 0.39% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 32.80 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary The node pairing approval path did not consistently enforce that the approving caller already held every scope requested by the node. Impact A lower-privileged operator could approve a pending node request for broader scopes and extend privileges onto the paired node. Affected Component src/infra/node-pairing.ts, src/gateway/server-methods/nodes.ts Fixed Versions - Affected: <= 2026.3.24 - Patched: = 2026.3.28 - Latest stable 2026.3.28 contains the fix. Fix Fixed by commit 4d7cc6bb4f (gateway: restrict node pairing approvals). OpenClaw thanks @AntAISecurityLab for reporting.

Published by the source

1 Apr 2026, 00:00 UTC

Last modified by the source

6 Apr 2026, 17:46 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 12:47 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Reviewed OSV alias/range/CVSS4 correction; package source scopes and original publication preserved. No customer finding resolved.

3. Revision 1 · created · 24 Oct 2026

   Published from osv record GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-33577

Advisory: OpenClaw: node.pair.approve missing callerScopes validation allows low-privilege operator to approve malicious nodes
IDs: CVE-2026-33577, GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-33577 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 12:47 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Medium (CVSS 4.9)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: openclaw 2026.3.28. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm openclaw: affected <= 2026.3.24; fixed in 2026.3.28

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls openclaw --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on openclaw.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg (OSV record GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <2026.3.28 (fixed))
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <=2026.3.24)

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