CVE-2026-41916Network attack vector

Authentication bypass via stale reload closure

Published Apr 28, 2026 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Authentication bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.4.8 allows remote authenticated users to retain outdated gateway access after a config reload. The Gateway connection path closes over resolvedAuth and fails to refresh that captured state when a validated configuration reload replaces the active authentication settings. Exploitation requires a successful reload, affects newly accepted connections, and remains within OpenClaw's user-controlled assistant trust model.

CVSS severity2.3
Low
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in OpenClaw before 2026.4.8 allows remote authenticated users to retain outdated gateway access after a config reload. The Gateway connection path closes over resolvedAuth and fails to refresh that captured state when a validated configuration reload replaces the active authentication settings. Exploitation requires a successful reload, affects newly accepted connections, and remains within OpenClaw's user-controlled assistant trust model.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-41916
Published
Apr 28, 2026
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
OpenClaw Foundation
Product
OpenClaw
Classifications
CWE-613, T1556
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 28, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2026.4.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

OpenClaw Foundation · OpenClawversion=0 <2026.4.8

Published CVSS scores

2.3VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
5.4VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-613Insufficient Session Expiration
T1556Modify Authentication Process

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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