CVE-2026-32897: Openclaw OpenClaw Reuses The Gateway Auth Vulnerability
LOWCVE-2026-32897 is a LOW openclaw reuses the gateway auth vulnerability (CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials) affecting Openclaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves openclaw reuses the gateway auth token in the owner id prompt hashing fallback. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.2.22.
CVE-2026-32897 at a Glance
How to Fix CVE-2026-32897
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Openclaw dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
npm install openclaw@2026.2.22Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls openclawHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-32897, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls openclawAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Openclaw in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2026.2.22), your application is affected.
Note: The npm ls openclaw command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials, where the product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval. In Openclaw, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2026-32897 Affected Openclaw Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
openclaw
|
npm |
< 2026.2.22
|
2026.2.22
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-32897?
Which Openclaw versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-32897?
Is openclaw affected?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-32897?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-32897?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-v6x2-2qvm-6gv8",
"modified" : "2026-03-24T17:55:00Z",
"published" : "2026-03-03T23:01:30Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-32897" ],
"summary" : "OpenClaw reuses the gateway auth token in the owner ID prompt hashing fallback",
"details" : "## Vulnerability\n\nOpenClaw reused `gateway.auth.token` (and `gateway.remote.token`) as a fallback hash secret for owner-ID prompt obfuscation when `commands.ownerDisplay=hash` and `commands.ownerDisplaySecret` was unset.\n\nThis created secret dual-use between gateway authentication and prompt metadata hashing.\n\n## Impact\n\n- Auth-secret dual-use across security domains (gateway auth and prompt metadata hashing).\n- Hash outputs are visible to third-party model providers in system prompts.\n- No direct plaintext token disclosure.\n- Practical risk is highest when operators use weak gateway tokens and leave owner hash secret unset.\n\n## Affected Packages / Versions\n\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Latest affected published version: `2026.2.21-2`\n- Vulnerable range: `<= 2026.2.21-2`\n- Patched version (planned next release): `2026.2.22`\n\n## Affected Components\n\n- `src/agents/cli-runner/helpers.ts`\n- `src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/run/attempt.ts`\n- `src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/compact.ts`\n\n## Remediation\n\n- Added a shared owner-display resolver and secret-generation helper.\n- Removed fallback to `gateway.auth.token` and `gateway.remote.token`.\n- Auto-generates and persists a dedicated `commands.ownerDisplaySecret` when hash mode is enabled and secret is missing.\n\n## Fix Commit(s)\n\n- c99e7696e6893083b256f0a6c88fb060f3a76fb7\n\n## Release Process Note\n\n`patched_versions` is pre-set to the planned next release (`2026.2.22`). Once npm release `2026.2.22` is published, this advisory only needs to be published.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @aether-ai-agent for reporting.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "openclaw"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2026.2.22"
} ]
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2026.2.21-2"
}
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-v6x2-2qvm-6gv8"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32897"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/c99e7696e6893083b256f0a6c88fb060f3a76fb7"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-authentication-token-reuse-in-owner-id-prompt-hashing-fallback"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-522" ],
"severity" : "LOW",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-03T23:01:30Z",
"nvd_published_at" : null
}
}