# CVE-2026-53863: OpenClaw authorization bypass via unvalidated group IDs

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-53863-openclaw-authorization-bypass-via-unvalidated-group-ids  
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-2026-53863 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.1 · Published 2026-06-16

OpenClaw, a tool for managing gateway operations and plugins, contains a vulnerability where it fails to properly validate group identifiers. This could allow an authorized user to bypass intended security policies and execute tools or actions they should not have access to. An exploit could lead to unauthorized system modifications or the bypass of organizational access controls.

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-2026-53863 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-53863 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-53863?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.1, 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-2026-53863?** 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-2026-53863 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-53863?** 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

A vulnerability classified as CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) exists in OpenClaw's tool group policy resolver. The component fails to validate group IDs supplied by callers, allowing a user with low privileges to resolve policies for unvalidated groups. This can result in the application of incorrect group-policy decisions during tool invocation. The attack is reachable over the network but requires the 'affected feature' to be enabled and the attacker to have at least low-level authenticated access. The issue is addressed in version 2026.4.25.

## Affected products

- openclaw openclaw <= 2026.4.24

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-53863
- GHSA-985f-72mj-8gf7

## Timeline

- 2026-05-28: disclosed
- 2026-06-18: advisory
- 2026-04-25: patched

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft](https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft)
- [https://github.com/zsxsoft](https://github.com/zsxsoft)
- [https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/repos](https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/2398785?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/2398785?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/zsxsoft/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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