OpenClaw: /pair approve command path omitted caller scope subsetting and reopened device pairing escalation

CRITICAL 9.9CVE-2026-33579 · GHSA-hc5h-pmr3-3497 · Published 31/03/2026 · updated 24/07/2026

Package	Affected versions	Patched versions
openclaw openclaw	`< 2026.3.28`	`2026.3.28`
openclaw npm	`< 2026.3.28`	`2026.3.28`

Description

Summary

The /pair approve command path called device approval without forwarding caller scopes into the core approval check.

Impact

A caller that held pairing privileges but not admin privileges could approve a pending device request asking for broader scopes, including admin access.

Affected Component

extensions/device-pair/index.ts, src/infra/device-pairing.ts

Fixed Versions

Affected: <= 2026.3.24
Patched: >= 2026.3.28
Latest stable 2026.3.28 contains the fix.

Fix

Fixed by commit 4ee4960de2 (Pairing: forward caller scopes during approval).

OpenClaw thanks @AntAISecurityLab for reporting.

NVD description

OpenClaw before 2026.3.28 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the /pair approve command path that fails to forward caller scopes into the core approval check. A caller with pairing privileges but without admin privileges can approve pending device requests asking for broader scopes including admin access by exploiting the missing scope validation in extensions/device-pair/index.ts and src/infra/device-pairing.ts.

References

openclaw/openclaw security advisory · WEB
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33579 · ADVISORY
openclaw/openclaw commit 4ee4960 · WEB
openclaw/openclaw · PACKAGE
vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-missing-caller-scope-validation-in-device-pair-approval · WEB
openclaw/openclaw commit e403dec · Patch

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Package

Affected versions

Patched versions

openclaw

< 2026.3.28

2026.3.28

openclaw

npm

< 2026.3.28

2026.3.28

Description

Summary

The /pair approve command path called device approval without forwarding caller scopes into the core approval check.

Impact

A caller that held pairing privileges but not admin privileges could approve a pending device request asking for broader scopes, including admin access.

Affected Component

extensions/device-pair/index.ts, src/infra/device-pairing.ts

Fixed Versions

Affected: <= 2026.3.24
Patched: >= 2026.3.28
Latest stable 2026.3.28 contains the fix.

Fix

Fixed by commit 4ee4960de2 (Pairing: forward caller scopes during approval).

OpenClaw thanks @AntAISecurityLab for reporting.

NVD description