---
title: "CVE-2026-35663: OpenClaw: Gateway Backend Reconnect lets Non-Admin Operator Scopes Self-Claim operator.admin"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-35663/
description: "CVE-2026-35663 (openclaw (npm)): OpenClaw before 2026.3.25 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability allowing non-admin operators to self-request…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-04-10
date_modified: 2026-06-23
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-35663"
kev: false
cvss: 8.7
epss: 0.00516
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-35663: OpenClaw: Gateway Backend Reconnect lets Non-Admin Operator Scopes Self-Claim operator.admin

**Signal:** Normal patch cycle. No exploitation signal; fix it in your next routine update if you are affected. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- No confirmed exploitation. It is not in CISA’s KEV catalog and CISA’s SSVC assessment records no known exploitation. That can change quickly after a public write-up; re-check if you are affected.
- EPSS 0.5% , percentile 43: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.5% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 43% of all scored CVEs (low). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes openclaw (npm) <= 2026.3.24, no fixed version listed . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

OpenClaw before 2026.3.25 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability allowing non-admin operators to self-request broader scopes during backend reconnect. Attackers can bypass pairing requirements to reconnect as operator.admin, gaining unauthorized administrative privileges.

## Affected packages

- npm `openclaw` <= 2026.3.24 → fixed: none listed

## Affected products (CVE record)

- OpenClaw OpenClaw: < 2026.3.25

## Severity

- VulnCheck CVSS 4.0: 8.7 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`
- VulnCheck CVSS 3.1: 8.8 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- GitHub CVSS 4.0: 9.3 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:N`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.52% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 43.

## Sources

- [GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-9hjh-fr4f-gxc4)](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-9hjh-fr4f-gxc4)
- [Patch Commit](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/d3d8e316bd819d3c7e34253aeb7eccb2510f5f48)
- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-9hjh-fr4f-gxc4](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-9hjh-fr4f-gxc4)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-35663](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-35663)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-35663](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35663)
- [VulnCheck Advisory: OpenClaw < 2026.3.25 - Privilege Escalation via Backend Reconnect Scope Self-Claim](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-backend-reconnect-scope-self-claim)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-35663/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt