# CVE-2026-53856: OpenClaw insecure file permissions in config recovery

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-53856-openclaw-insecure-file-permissions-in-config-recovery  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-16. Updated: 2026-06-18  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-53856 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-06-16

OpenClaw, a tool used for managing AI workflows and gateways, contains a flaw where its configuration file may be restored with insecure permissions during a recovery process. This could allow other users on the same computer to read sensitive configuration data, potentially leading to unauthorized access to connected services or data. Organizations using shared hosting environments are most at risk.

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-2026-53856 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-53856 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-53856?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 16 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openclaw (npm) SEMVER:introduced=2026.4.23,fixed=2026.4.24; Openclaw 2026.4.23, before 2026.4.24.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-53856?** Yes. openclaw (npm): upgrade to 2026.4.24 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-53856 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-53856?** 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 2026.4.24 or later

  ```sh
  npm install openclaw@2026.4.24
  ```


## Technical details

An incorrect default permissions vulnerability (CWE-276) exists in OpenClaw's configuration recovery mechanism. When the configuration repair feature is triggered, the resulting 'openclaw.json' file may be created with world-readable permissions rather than restricted access. A local attacker with low privileges on the same host can exploit this to read the configuration file, which may contain sensitive operational data or credentials. The vulnerability is present in version 2026.4.23 and was addressed in version 2026.4.24. Exploitation requires the recovery feature to be enabled and reachable by the attacker.

## Affected products

- openclaw openclaw 2026.4.23

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-53856
- GHSA-rwp6-7w3q-75fq

## Timeline

- 2026-05-28: disclosed: Initial disclosure by reporter
- 2026-06-18: advisory: GitHub Advisory published
- 2026.4.24: patched: First stable patched version

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310](https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310)
- [https://github.com/Kaze310](https://github.com/Kaze310)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/repos](https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/183121490?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/183121490?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/Kaze310/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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