CVE-2026-53847: OpenClaw Active Memory Write Scope Could Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-x629-46cc-7xgw
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CWE-266
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-53847 is a MODERATE active memory write scope could vulnerability (CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment) affecting OpenClaw libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves active memory write scope could mutate global config. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2026.5.6.

CVE-2026-53847 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-53847
GHSA Identifier GHSA-x629-46cc-7xgw
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment
Affected Product OpenClaw
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-53847

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.

openclaw fixed: 2026.5.6 
npm install openclaw@2026.5.6
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls openclaw

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-53847, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls openclaw

Analyze 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 2026.5.6), 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-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment, where a product incorrectly assigns a privilege to a particular actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. 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

### Summary Active Memory write scope could mutate global config. In affected versions, a Gateway caller with `operator.write` access to the affected command could change global configuration without requiring `operator.admin`. This advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed. ### Impact When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could apply configuration changes beyond the intended write scope. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path. ### Patched Versions The first stable patched version is `2026.5.6`. ### Mitigations limit Active Memory write access to trusted operators until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.

CVE-2026-53847 Affected OpenClaw Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2026.5.6
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
openclaw
npm/openclaw
npm
< 2026.5.6
2026.5.6

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-x629-46cc-7xgw
NVD — CVE-2026-53847 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53847
OpenClaw Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw... WEB
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-active-memory-write-scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-53847?
CVE-2026-53847 is a security vulnerability in OpenClaw involving Active Memory write scope could mutate global config under CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment.
Which OpenClaw versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2026.5.6 across affected packages: openclaw.
What version fixes CVE-2026-53847?
Upgrading to 2026.5.6 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is openclaw affected?
Yes, openclaw is affected in releases prior to 2026.5.6. Upgrade your dependency to 2026.5.6 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-53847?
CVE-2026-53847 is classified under CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment (A product incorrectly assigns a privilege to a particular actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-53847?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls openclaw'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-x629-46cc-7xgw",
  "modified" : "2026-06-18T20:15:20Z",
  "published" : "2026-06-18T20:15:20Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-53847" ],
  "summary" : "OpenClaw: Active Memory write scope could mutate global config",
  "details" : "### Summary\n\nActive Memory write scope could mutate global config. In affected versions, a Gateway caller with `operator.write` access to the affected command could change global configuration without requiring `operator.admin`.\n\nThis advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed.\n\n### Impact\n\nWhen the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could apply configuration changes beyond the intended write scope. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path.\n\n### Patched Versions\n\nThe first stable patched version is `2026.5.6`.\n\n### Mitigations\n\nlimit Active Memory write access to trusted operators until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "openclaw"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2026.5.6"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2026.5.5"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-x629-46cc-7xgw"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53847"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-active-memory-write-scope"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-266" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-18T20:15:20Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}