OpenClaw: Forged Nostr DMs could create pairing state before signature verification
Summary
Before OpenClaw 2026.3.31, the Nostr DM ingress path could issue pairing challenges before validating the event signature. A forged DM could create a pending pairing entry and trigger a pairing-reply attempt before signature rejection.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote sender could consume shared pairing capacity and trigger bounded relay/logging work on the Nostr channel. This issue did not grant message decryption, pairing approval, or broader authorization bypass.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected versions:
>= 2026.3.22, < 2026.3.31 - Patched versions:
>= 2026.3.31 - Latest published npm version:
2026.4.1
Fix Commit(s)
4ee742174f36b5445703e3b1ef2fbd6ae6700fa4— verify inbound DM signatures before pairing replies
Release Process Note
The fix shipped in OpenClaw 2026.3.31 on March 31, 2026. The current published npm release 2026.4.1 from April 1, 2026 also contains the fix.
Thanks @smaeljaish771 for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | >= 2026.3.22, < 2026.3.31 | 2026.3.31 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-h43v-27wg-5mf9
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41301
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/4ee742174f36b5445703e3b1ef2fbd6ae6700fa4
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-forged-nostr-dm-pairing-state-creation-via-signature-verification-bypass
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-347- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 07.04.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-h43v-27wg-5mf9 - 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
-
OpenClaw: Forged Nostr DMs could create pairing state before signature verification this entry
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