📄 Description (English)
OpenClaw before 2026.4.8 contains an improper authorization vulnerability where the node.pair.approve method accepts operator.write scope instead of the narrower operator.pairing scope, allowing unprivileged users to approve node pairing. Attackers with operator.write permissions can bypass pairing approval restrictions to gain unauthorized access to exec-capable nodes.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
OpenClaw versions before 2026.4.8 contain an improper authorization vulnerability (CVE-2026-42426) allowing attackers with operator.write permissions to bypass node pairing approval restrictions and gain unauthorized access to execution-capable nodes. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using OpenClaw for infrastructure orchestration. The vulnerability stems from accepting overly broad operator.write scope instead of the narrower operator.pairing scope in the node.pair.approve method, enabling privilege escalation attacks.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 4, 2026 03:49
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations utilizing OpenClaw for cloud infrastructure and container orchestration, particularly in: (1) Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated entities) managing critical payment and settlement systems; (2) Government agencies (NCA oversight) operating sensitive administrative infrastructure; (3) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SAECO) managing operational technology and SCADA systems; (4) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) operating network orchestration platforms; (5) Healthcare institutions managing patient data systems. The ability to bypass pairing approval and gain exec-capable node access could lead to unauthorized command execution, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within critical infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Healthcare
Cloud Service Providers
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1078 - Valid Accounts (privilege escalation via operator.write scope)
T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (bypassing authorization checks)
T1134 - Access Token Manipulation (scope-based authorization bypass)
T1098 - Account Manipulation (unauthorized access via compromised accounts)
T1021 - Remote Services (unauthorized command execution on exec-capable nodes)
T1552 - Unsecured Credentials (overly permissive scope assignments)
⚖️ 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. Audit all users and service accounts with operator.write permissions
3. Review access logs for suspicious node.pair.approve method calls from operator.write-scoped accounts
4. Implement network segmentation to restrict access to OpenClaw control planes
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.4.8 or later immediately
2. Test patches in non-production environments before deployment
3. Coordinate patching with change management to minimize operational impact
4. Verify patch application by confirming version and checking authorization scope enforcement
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Restrict operator.write role assignments to only essential administrators
2. Implement principle of least privilege - use operator.pairing scope exclusively for pairing operations
3. Enable detailed audit logging for all node.pair.approve method invocations
4. Deploy API gateway rules to block node.pair.approve calls from operator.write-scoped tokens
5. Implement multi-factor authentication for all privileged OpenClaw operations
DETECTION RULES:
1. Alert on node.pair.approve method calls from accounts with operator.write but not operator.pairing scope
2. Monitor for unusual node pairing approval patterns outside normal maintenance windows
3. Track failed authorization attempts on exec-capable nodes
4. Flag rapid successive node pairing approvals indicating automated exploitation
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع نشرات OpenClaw في بيئتك وقثق الإصدارات الحالية
2. قم بتدقيق جميع المستخدمين وحسابات الخدمة التي تتمتع بصلاحيات operator.write
3. راجع سجلات الوصول للاستدعاءات المريبة لطريقة node.pair.approve من حسابات بنطاق operator.write
4. طبق تقسيم الشبكة لتقييد الوصول إلى مستويات التحكم في OpenClaw
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. قم بترقية OpenClaw إلى الإصدار 2026.4.8 أو أحدث فوراً
2. اختبر التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج قبل النشر
3. نسق التصحيح مع إدارة التغيير لتقليل التأثير التشغيلي
4. تحقق من تطبيق التصحيح بتأكيد الإصدار والتحقق من فرض نطاق التفويض
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. قيد تعيينات دور operator.write فقط للمسؤولين الأساسيين
2. طبق مبدأ أقل امتياز - استخدم نطاق operator.pairing حصرياً لعمليات الإقران
3. فعّل تسجيل التدقيق التفصيلي لجميع استدعاءات طريقة node.pair.approve
4. نشر قواعد بوابة API لحظر استدعاءات node.pair.approve من الرموز ذات نطاق operator.write
5. طبق المصادقة متعددة العوامل لجميع عمليات OpenClaw المميزة
قواعد الكشف:
1. تنبيه على استدعاءات node.pair.approve من الحسابات التي تتمتع بـ operator.write وليس operator.pairing
2. راقب أنماط الموافقة على إقران العقد غير العادية خارج نوافذ الصيانة العادية
3. تتبع محاولات التفويض الفاشلة على العقد القابلة للتنفيذ
4. علّم الموافقات على إقران العقد المتتالية السريعة التي تشير إلى استغلال آلي
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.9.2.1 - User access management and authorization controls
ECC 2024 A.9.4.3 - Password management and access control mechanisms
ECC 2024 A.12.4.1 - Event logging and monitoring requirements
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 policies and procedures
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access rights and privilege management
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and monitoring of unauthorized access
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.3 - Segregation of duties
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - User registration and de-registration
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - User access provisioning
ISO 27001:2022 A.9.2.1 - User registration and access rights
ISO 27001:2022 A.9.4.3 - Password management
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-to-know
PCI DSS 7.2 - Establish an access control system for IT assets
PCI DSS 8.2 - Ensure proper user identification and authentication
PCI DSS 10.2 - Implement automated audit trails for access to cardholder data
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/d7c3210cd6f5fdfdc1beff4c9541673e814354d5
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-67mf-f936-ppxf
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Vendor Advisory
🔗
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-improper-authorization-in-node-pair-appro...
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Third Party Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
openclaw:openclaw