---
id: CVE-2026-22172
title: OpenClaw < 2026.3.12 - Scope Elevation in WebSocket Shared-Auth Connections
summary: >-
  OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.12 contain an authorization bypass
  vulnerability in the WebSocket connect path that allows shared-token or
  password-authenticated connections to self-declare elevated scopes without
  server-side binding. …
severity: critical
cvss: 9.9
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-862
vendor: OpenClaw
product: OpenClaw
affected:
  - OpenClaw < 2026.3.12
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-03-20T18:03:44.625223Z'
published: '2026-03-20'
updated: '2026-09-24'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-24T14:17:19.420Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-22172'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rqpp-rjj8-7wv8
    label: GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-rqpp-rjj8-7wv8)
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-scope-elevation-in-websocket-shared-auth-connections
tags:
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00561
epssPercentile: 0.44285
ingestedAt: '2026-09-24T15:45:56.734Z'
---

## Overview

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.3.12 contain an authorization bypass vulnerability in the WebSocket connect path that allows shared-token or password-authenticated connections to self-declare elevated scopes without server-side binding. Attackers can exploit this logic flaw to present unauthorized scopes such as operator.admin and perform admin-only gateway operations.

## Affected

- `OpenClaw < 2026.3.12`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.