OpenClaw's browser-origin WebSocket auth hardening gap could enable loopback password brute-force chains
This issue is a browser-origin WebSocket auth chain on local loopback deployments using password auth. It is serious, but conditional: an attacker must get the user to open a malicious page and then successfully guess the gateway password.
Context and Preconditions
OpenClaw’s web/gateway surface is designed for local use and trusted-operator workflows. In affected versions, a browser-origin client could combine three behaviors:
- Origin checks not enforced for some non-Control-UI WebSocket client IDs.
- Loopback auth attempts exempt from password-failure throttling.
- Silent local pairing path available to browser-origin non-Control-UI clients.
Successful exploitation requires all of the following:
- Gateway reachable on loopback (default).
- Password auth mode in use.
- Victim opens attacker-controlled web content.
- Password is guessable within feasible brute-force/dictionary attempts.
Practical Impact
If the password is guessed, an attacker can establish an authenticated operator WebSocket session and invoke control-plane methods available to that role. This is not an unauthenticated internet-exposed RCE class issue by itself; it is a local browser-origin auth-hardening gap with meaningful impact under the conditions above.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
<=2026.2.24(latest published npm version as of February 26, 2026) - Patched versions :
>=2026.2.25
Fix Commit(s)
c736f11a16d6bc27ea62a0fe40fffae4cb071fdb
Fix Details
- Enforce browser-origin checks for direct browser WebSocket clients beyond Control UI/Webchat (trusted-proxy forwarded flows remain supported).
- Apply browser-origin auth failure throttling with loopback exemption disabled.
- Block silent auto-pairing for non-Control-UI browser-origin clients.
Release Process Note
patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next npm release (2026.2.25) so once that release is published, the advisory is published.
OpenClaw thanks @luz-oasis for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.25 | 2026.2.25 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-jmmg-jqc7-5qf4
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32025
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/c736f11a16d6bc27ea62a0fe40fffae4cb071fdb
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-password-brute-force-via-browser-origin-websocket-authentication-bypass
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-287, CWE-307, CWE-346- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 03.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-jmmg-jqc7-5qf4 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openclaw
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 588
- First → latest
- 02.2026 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 20
- High 215
- Medium 299
- Low 54
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 588
-
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