OpenClaw is an open-source, locally run autonomous AI assistant designed to act as a personal agent rather than a cloud-hosted service. Instead of routing prompts, context, and execution through a vendor-operated backend, OpenClaw runs directly on infrastructure chosen by the user, such as a laptop, homelab system, or virtual private server. Messaging integrations allow users to interact with the agent from familiar chat platforms while keeping execution local.
The project gained traction quickly after its initial release in late 2025, driven by interest in agent-style AI systems that can perform actions, invoke tools, and automate workflows without relying on SaaS control planes. OpenClaw exposes a local gateway and a browser-based Control UI that lets users manage configuration, approve actions, and define how tools execute. That design gives users flexibility and data ownership, but it also places a browser-facing interface directly in front of a privileged local service.
Overview of the Vulnerability
CVE-2026-25253 affects all OpenClaw releases prior to version 2026.1.29. The flaw stems from how the Control UI handles connection details passed through the browser. OpenClaw reads a gatewayUrl value directly from the query string and automatically initiates a WebSocket connection as soon as the page loads. During this process, a stored gateway authentication token is sent without user confirmation and without validating the origin of the request.
The CVE record was published on February 1, 2026, and later incorporated into the NVD dataset. MITRE, acting as the CNA, assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8, reflecting high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Impact and Exploitation Path
An attacker can exploit this behavior through a malicious link or website. When a logged-in user visits the page, client-side JavaScript can trigger a cross-site WebSocket hijacking attack. Since OpenClaw does not validate the WebSocket origin header, the local gateway accepts the connection even though it originates from an untrusted site.
Once the authentication token is captured, the attacker can connect back to the victim’s local OpenClaw gateway with operator-level access. That access allows configuration changes and the execution of commands through the API, resulting in remote code execution after a single click. Loopback-only bindings do not prevent this scenario, as the victim’s browser initiates the outbound connection on the attacker’s behal
Affected Deployments and Fix
Any OpenClaw or Moltbot deployment where a user has authenticated to the Control UI is affected. The issue was resolved in OpenClaw version 2026.1.29, released on January 30, 2026. Systems running older versions remain exposed.
Why This Exposure Matters
OpenClaw’s appeal rests on local control and data ownership. CVE-2026-25253 shows how browser-based management layers can weaken that security model if trust boundaries are not enforced. A local agent with broad execution capabilities becomes a high-value target once a web interface can be coerced into handing over credentials. Updating to the fixed release is the minimum step required to close off this attack path.
How Can Netizen Help?
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