CVE-2026-43578: OpenClaw versions 2026.3.31 before 2026.4.10 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability where heartbeat owne

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-43578?

openclaw: upgrade to 2026.4.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-43578 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43578 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-43578 affect?

CVE-2026-43578 affects openclaw. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). OpenClaw versions 2026.3.31 before 2026.4.10 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability where heartbeat owner downgrade detection misses local background async exec completion events. Attackers can exploit this by providing untrusted comp

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-43578?

Priority 42/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-43578 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting openclaw. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

OpenClaw versions 2026.3.31 before 2026.4.10 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability where heartbeat owner downgrade detection misses local background async exec completion events. Attackers can exploit this by providing untrusted completion content to leave a run in a more privileged context than intended.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 79%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-184
Published	2026-05-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: openclaw

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-06 20:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openclaw openclaw UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2026.3.31 and < 2026.4.10

Fixed in: 2026.4.10

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2026.3.31

1. Check installed version

npm ls openclaw

2. UPGRADE to 2026.4.10

npm install openclaw@">=2026.4.10"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2026.3.31

npm view openclaw versions npm install openclaw@"<2026.3.31"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-43578?

openclaw: upgrade to 2026.4.10. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-43578 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43578 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-43578 affect?

CVE-2026-43578 affects openclaw. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). OpenClaw versions 2026.3.31 before 2026.4.10 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability where heartbeat owner downgrade detection misses local background async exec completion events. Attackers can exploit this by providing untrusted comp

How urgent is CVE-2026-43578?

Priority 42/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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