OpenClaw's Webhooks SecretRef route secret remains valid after rotation/reload
Summary
OpenClaw webhooks allowed route secrets to be backed by SecretRef values, but cached the resolved secret for a route. After an operator rotated the underlying secret and ran openclaw secrets reload, the previous resolved webhook secret could remain valid until the plugin or gateway restarted.
Impact
An attacker who already had a previously valid webhook route secret could continue authenticating webhook requests after the operator rotated the secret and reloaded secrets. This weakened credential rotation for webhook routes and could allow continued invocation of the configured webhook task flow until restart.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclawon npm - Affected: versions before
2026.4.23 - Fixed:
2026.4.23 - Latest stable verified fixed:
openclaw@2026.4.23, tagv2026.4.23
Fix
Webhook route authentication now resolves SecretRef-backed route secrets on each request. A rotated secret becomes effective after openclaw secrets reload without requiring a gateway or plugin restart, and the old secret is rejected.
Fix Commit(s)
36c4a372a0ad5dca8bfc0d93f7aab9c2f2de66fa(fix(webhooks): reload route secrets per request)
Severity
Severity remains medium. The attack requires possession of a previously valid route secret, but the stale credential can continue to authorize webhook actions after rotation.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.4.23 | 2026.4.23 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-q8ff-7ffm-m3r9
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45005
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/36c4a372a0ad5dca8bfc0d93f7aab9c2f2de66fa
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-webhook-route-secret-cache-not-invalidated-after-rotation
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-613- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 05.05.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-q8ff-7ffm-m3r9 - 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's Webhooks SecretRef route secret remains valid after rotation/reload this entry
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