📄 Description (English)
OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 contains an insufficient scope validation vulnerability in the node pairing approval path that allows low-privilege operators to approve nodes with broader scopes. Attackers can exploit missing callerScopes validation in node-pairing.ts to extend privileges onto paired nodes beyond their authorization level.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
OpenClaw before version 2026.3.28 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability in node pairing approval mechanisms that allows low-privilege operators to approve nodes with unauthorized broader scopes. The missing callerScopes validation enables attackers to extend privileges beyond their authorization level, potentially compromising distributed system integrity. This vulnerability affects Node.js-based OpenClaw deployments and requires immediate patching to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 26, 2026 09:02
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations utilizing OpenClaw for distributed infrastructure management, particularly in: (1) Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) managing microservices architectures for payment systems and core banking platforms; (2) Government entities (NCA oversight) operating distributed authentication and authorization systems; (3) Telecommunications providers (STC, Mobily) managing network infrastructure and service orchestration; (4) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC) operating critical infrastructure control systems; (5) Healthcare organizations managing distributed patient data systems. The privilege escalation could enable unauthorized access to critical nodes, data exfiltration, and system compromise across interconnected infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Healthcare
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all OpenClaw deployments in your environment and document current versions
2. Restrict node pairing approval permissions to only authorized administrators immediately
3. Implement additional access controls limiting operator scope assignments
4. Enable comprehensive audit logging for all node pairing operations
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.3.28 or later immediately
2. Test patches in non-production environments first
3. Implement staged rollout to production systems with monitoring
4. Verify callerScopes validation is functioning post-patch
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement network segmentation isolating OpenClaw node pairing components
2. Deploy WAF/API gateway rules to validate scope parameters in pairing requests
3. Restrict operator accounts to minimal required permissions
4. Implement real-time monitoring for scope validation failures
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor node-pairing.ts for requests with scope parameters exceeding caller authorization
2. Alert on approval operations by low-privilege accounts
3. Track callerScopes validation failures in application logs
4. Monitor for unusual node pairing patterns or rapid scope escalations
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع نشرات OpenClaw في بيئتك وتوثيق الإصدارات الحالية
2. قيد أذونات الموافقة على ربط العقد للمسؤولين المصرح لهم فقط على الفور
3. تنفيذ عناصر تحكم وصول إضافية تحد من تعيينات نطاق المشغل
4. تفعيل تسجيل التدقيق الشامل لجميع عمليات ربط العقد
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية OpenClaw إلى الإصدار 2026.3.28 أو أحدث على الفور
2. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. تنفيذ طرح مرحلي لأنظمة الإنتاج مع المراقبة
4. التحقق من أن التحقق من callerScopes يعمل بعد التصحيح
عناصر التحكم البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكنًا):
1. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لعزل مكونات ربط عقدة OpenClaw
2. نشر قواعد WAF/API gateway للتحقق من معاملات النطاق في طلبات الربط
3. قيد حسابات المشغل بالأذونات المطلوبة الحد الأدنى
4. تنفيذ المراقبة في الوقت الفعلي لفشل التحقق من النطاق
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة node-pairing.ts للطلبات ذات معاملات النطاق التي تتجاوز تفويض المتصل
2. تنبيه العمليات الموافقة من قبل الحسابات ذات الامتيازات المنخفضة
3. تتبع فشل التحقق من callerScopes في سجلات التطبيق
4. مراقبة أنماط ربط العقد غير العادية أو تصعيدات النطاق السريعة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.9.2.1 - User access management and privilege control
ECC 2024 A.9.4.3 - Password management and access control
ECC 2024 A.12.4.1 - Event logging and monitoring
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-1 - Asset Management and inventory
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control Policy
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access Rights and Privileges
SAMA CSF DE.AE-1 - Audit and Accountability
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access control
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Privileged access rights
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Information access restriction
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.4.1 - Event logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 7.1 - Limit access to system components by business need
PCI DSS 7.2 - Establish access for users based on need-to-know
PCI DSS 10.2 - Implement automated audit trails
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/4d7cc6bb4fac68b5a5fadd1c5a23168281221f34
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-2x4x-cc5g-qmmg
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Vendor Advisory
🔗
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-insufficient-scope-validation-in-node-pai...
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Third Party Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
openclaw:openclaw