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CVE-2026-53821 OpenClaw CVE debrief

CVE-2026-53821 is a HIGH-severity vulnerability in OpenClaw, a software that enables trusted-proxy Control UI clients. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.7. The issue arises from OpenClaw's acceptance of WebSocket client-declared operator scopes before binding to server-approved pairing or trusted-proxy authorization baseline. This allows unpaired or restricted trusted-proxy Control UI clients to obtain cached operator.admin authority on live WebSocket connections, enabling them to execute admin-gated Gateway RPCs.

Vendor
OpenClaw
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 8.7
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-06-12
Original CVE updated
2026-06-16
Advisory published
2026-06-12
Advisory updated
2026-06-16

Who should care

Users of OpenClaw before version 2026.5.18 should apply the patch to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Technical summary

OpenClaw before 2026.5.18 accepts WebSocket client-declared operator scopes before binding to server-approved pairing or trusted-proxy authorization baseline. Unpaired or restricted trusted-proxy Control UI clients can obtain cached operator.admin authority on live WebSocket connections to execute admin-gated Gateway RPCs.

Defensive priority

HIGH

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch: Upgrade to OpenClaw version 2026.5.18 or later.
  • Review WebSocket connections: Ensure that WebSocket connections are properly paired and authorized.

Evidence notes

Vendor and product information could not be confirmed. Consider referencing [ref-4](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-qjpc-qf9m-xwmr) and [ref-5](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-scope-elevation-in-trusted-proxy-control-ui-websocket) for further details.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-53821 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53821

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-53821 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53821

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.