CVE-2026-53838: OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows pai

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-53838 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting openclaw. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions. Attackers can exploit reconnection logic to restore or present broader node authority than intended, potentially bypassing approval restrictions.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 86%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-367
Published	2026-06-12
Last modified	2026-07-23

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: openclaw

Last updated 2026-07-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-12 22:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-23 09:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openclaw openclaw UPGRADE

Affected: < 2026.5.27

Fixed in: 2026.5.27

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls openclaw

2. UPGRADE to 2026.5.27

npm install openclaw@">=2026.5.27"

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-2026-53838?

openclaw: upgrade to 2026.5.27. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-53838 being exploited?

CVE-2026-53838 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-2026-53838 affect?

CVE-2026-53838 affects openclaw. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions. Attackers can exploit reconnection logic to restore or present broader node authori

How urgent is CVE-2026-53838?

Priority 43/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-53855 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 contains an inline-eval bypass vulnerability allowing authenticated operators to weak
CVE-2026-53857 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE OpenClaw before 2026.5.3 contains a policy enforcement vulnerability where Zalo contacts with mutable display
CVE-2026-53851 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE OpenClaw before 2026.5.12 contains a notification bypass vulnerability allowing Slack reaction events to enter
CVE-2026-53846 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE OpenClaw before 2026.4.29 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the install helper that allows workspace
CVE-2026-59261 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE OpenClaw before 2026.5.28 contains a credential exposure vulnerability where workspace dotenv files can overri

References

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