OpenClaw: BlueBubbles beta plugin webhook auth hardening (remove passwordless fallback)

Summary

BlueBubbles webhook auth in the optional beta iMessage plugin allowed a passwordless fallback path. In some reverse-proxy/local routing setups, this could allow unauthenticated webhook events.

Affected Component and Scope

• Component: extensions/bluebubbles webhook handler
• Scope: only deployments using the optional BlueBubbles plugin where webhook password auth was not configured for incoming webhook events

Affected Packages / Versions

• Package: openclaw/openclaw (npm)
• Latest published npm version at triage time (2026-02-21): 2026.2.19-2
• Affected structured range: <=2026.2.19-2
• Fixed on main; planned patched release: 2026.2.21 (>=2026.2.21)

Details

The vulnerable implementation had multiple auth branches, including a passwordless fallback with loopback/proxy heuristics.

The fix now uses one authentication codepath:

• inbound webhook token/guid must match channels.bluebubbles.password
• webhook target matching is consolidated to shared plugin-sdk logic
• BlueBubbles config validation now requires password when serverUrl is set

Impact

BlueBubbles is an optional beta iMessage plugin, and onboarding/channel-add flows already require a password. Practical exposure is mainly custom/manual configurations that omitted webhook password authentication.

Remediation

• Upgrade to a release that includes this patch (>=2026.2.21, planned).
• Ensure BlueBubbles webhook delivery includes a matching password (?password=<password> or x-password).

Fix Commit(s)

• 6b2f2811dc623e5faaf2f76afaa9279637174590
• 283029bdea23164ab7482b320cb420d1b90df806

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.21) so once npm release is out, advisory publish can proceed without additional ticket edits.

OpenClaw thanks @zpbrent for reporting.