Description
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 inject the x-OpenClaw-relay-token header into Chrome CDP probe traffic on loopback interfaces, allowing local processes to capture the Gateway authentication token. An attacker controlling a loopback port can intercept CDP reachability probes to the /json/version endpoint and reuse the leaked token as Gateway bearer authentication.
Published: 2026-03-18
Score: 5.9 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Gateway Authentication Token Disclosure
Action: Upgrade
AI Analysis

Impact

OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 inject the x-OpenClaw-relay-token header into Chrome CDP probe traffic between loopback interfaces. Because the token header is not protected, a local process that can capture loopback traffic can retrieve the gateway authentication token. The attacker can then reuse the leaked token as a bearer credential to gain privileged access to the OpenClaw gateway, effectively bypassing authentication. This vulnerability corresponds to CWE-306 – Missing Authentication for Critical Function.

Affected Systems

All deployments of OpenClaw before the 2026.2.22 release are affected. The product is identified by the CPE string cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*. No other vendors or product lines are listed in the CVE, so only the specified OpenClaw instances are impacted.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.9 indicates a medium severity impact. EPSS data is not available and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Attackers must be able to execute code on the same host or otherwise have local access, but any local process could intercept the loopback traffic and exploit this flaw, making it a moderately high risk for environments where untrusted code may run on the gateway host.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on March 18, 2026 at 03:23 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade OpenClaw to version 2026.2.22 or newer
  • If an upgrade is not immediately feasible, restrict loopback access and closely monitor CDP probe traffic for suspicious activity
  • Consult OpenClaw security advisories for any available patches or additional mitigations

Generated by OpenCVE AI on March 18, 2026 at 03:23 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-v3j7-34xh-6g3w OpenClaw Loopback CDP probe can leak Gateway token to local listener
History

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N'}

 cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N'}

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.22 inject the x-OpenClaw-relay-token header into Chrome CDP probe traffic on loopback interfaces, allowing local processes to capture the Gateway authentication token. An attacker controlling a loopback port can intercept CDP reachability probes to the /json/version endpoint and reuse the leaked token as Gateway bearer authentication.
Title OpenClaw < 2026.2.22 - Gateway Token Disclosure via Chrome CDP Probe
First Time appeared Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
Weaknesses CWE-306
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
Vendors & Products Openclaw
Openclaw openclaw
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Subscriptions

Openclaw Openclaw
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-25T14:32:43.121Z

Reserved: 2026-01-06T16:47:17.180Z

Link: CVE-2026-22174

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-18T14:03:41.330Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Modified

Published: 2026-03-18T02:16:21.517

Modified: 2026-03-25T15:16:36.500

Link: CVE-2026-22174

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-03-24T10:53:43Z

Weaknesses