OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the /pair approve command path that fails to forward caller scopes into the core approval check. A caller with pairing privileges but without admin privileges can approve pending device requests asking for broader scopes including admin access by exploiting the missing scope validation in extensions/device-pair/index.ts and src/infra/device-pairing.ts.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Attack Requirements
None
No additional conditions
Privileges Required
Low
Basic privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
High
Complete data modification
Availability
None
No disruption
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
Vulnerable Products 1
| Configuration | From (including) | Up to (excluding) |
|---|---|---|
|
Openclaw Openclaw
cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
|
— |
2026.3.28
|
References 3
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/e403decb6e20091b5402780a7ccd2085f98…
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-hc5h-pmr3-3497
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-missing-…
disclosure@vulncheck.com