# CVE-2026-53854: OpenClaw privilege escalation in internal and webchat command authentication

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-53854-openclaw-privilege-escalation-in-internal-and-webchat-command  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-16. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-53854 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-06-16

OpenClaw is an AI automation platform that manages command execution across channels and roles. A bug in its internal/webchat command authorization allows authenticated users to inherit elevated permissions across channel boundaries, potentially bypassing access controls designed to restrict who can run critical commands. An attacker with low-privilege access to one channel could escalate to owner-level capabilities in another channel, depending on configuration.

Technologies: [openclaw (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-openclaw), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openclaw). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Openclaw](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openclaw).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-53854 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-53854 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-53854?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 16 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openclaw (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=2026.4.25; Openclaw < 2026.4.25, <= 2026.4.24.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-53854?** Yes. openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.4.25 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-53854 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-53854?** Check whether you run openclaw (npm) or Openclaw at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.4.25 or later

  ```sh
  npm install openclaw@2026.4.25
  ```


## Technical details

This vulnerability (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) affects the internal and webchat command authentication in OpenClaw versions through 2026.4.24. The root cause is improper inheritance of wildcard ownerAllowFrom state across channel boundaries, allowing a sender on an affected internal or webchat path to inherit authorization privileges outside the intended channel scope. Exploitation requires network reachability and low-level authentication privileges; attack complexity is low and user interaction is not required. An authenticated attacker can execute owner-style command behavior that should have remained channel-scoped, potentially gaining unauthorized control over commands and automation. The vulnerability is patched in version 2026.4.25. Workarounds include keeping owner command allowlists explicit per channel, maintaining narrow channel/tool allowlists, avoiding shared Gateways between mutually untrusted users, and disabling the feature when not needed.

## Affected products

- openclaw openclaw <=2026.4.24

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-53854
- GHSA-4hpg-mp64-x7xq

## Timeline

- 2026-06-18: disclosed: Advisory GHSA-4hpg-mp64-x7xq published
- 2026-04-25: patched: First stable patched version 2026.4.25 released

## References

- [https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-4hpg-mp64-x7xq](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-4hpg-mp64-x7xq)
- [https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-ownerallowfrom-wildcard-inheritance-in-internal-webchat-commands](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-ownerallowfrom-wildcard-inheritance-in-internal-webchat-commands)

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