Hook token inference via variable-time comparison
Published Mar 5, 2026 · Updated Mar 5, 2026
Observable timing discrepancy in OpenClaw before 2026.2.12 allows remote attackers to infer hook tokens through repeated requests. The hooks request handler compares supplied tokens with hooksConfig.token using variable-time JavaScript string inequality, exposing timing differences. Exploitation requires enabled hooks exposed to an untrusted network and enough requests to overcome network latency and jitter.
Summary
What happened
Observable timing discrepancy in OpenClaw before 2026.2.12 allows remote attackers to infer hook tokens through repeated requests. The hooks request handler compares supplied tokens with hooksConfig.token using variable-time JavaScript string inequality, exposing timing differences. Exploitation requires enabled hooks exposed to an untrusted network and enough requests to overcome network latency and jitter.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-28464
- Published
- Mar 5, 2026
- Updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Vendor
- OpenClaw Foundation
- Product
- OpenClaw
- Classifications
- CWE-208, T1528
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 5, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <2026.2.12
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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