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GHSA-hff7-ccv5-52f8

MediumCVSS 6.9 / 10
Published Mar 3, 2026·Last modified Mar 24, 2026
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Summary

When tokenless Tailscale auth is enabled, OpenClaw should only allow forwarded-header auth for Control UI websocket authentication on trusted hosts. In affected versions, that tokenless path could also be used by HTTP gateway auth call sites, which could bypass token/password requirements for HTTP routes in trusted-network deployments.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Affected range: <= 2026.2.19-2 (latest published npm version as of February 21, 2026)
  • Patched in: planned 2026.2.21 release

Impact

Deployments relying on token/password for HTTP gateway routes could be downgraded to tokenless behavior when Tailscale header auth is enabled. This weakens expected HTTP route authentication boundaries even in trusted-host network setups.

Per SECURITY.md, this does not affect the recommended setup: keep the Gateway loopback-only (or otherwise within a trusted host/network boundary), use Tailscale serve/funnel for remote access, and keep tokenless Tailscale auth scoped to Control UI websocket login.

Fix

  • Added an explicit auth-surface gate (allowTailscaleHeaderAuth, default false) in gateway auth.
  • Enabled tokenless Tailscale header auth only for Control UI websocket authentication.
  • Kept HTTP gateway auth call sites on token/password auth paths.
  • Added regression coverage for HTTP-vs-websocket behavior and Tailscale header handling.

Fix Commit(s)

  • 356d61aacfa5b0f1d5830716ec59d70682a3e7b8

Release Process Note

patched_versions is pre-set to the planned next release (2026.2.21) so once npm release is published, this advisory can be published directly without further field edits.

OpenClaw thanks @zpbrent for reporting.

Risk Scores
Base Score
6.9

The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker does not need any special privileges or access rights. No user interaction is needed for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability.

Threat Intelligence
2.7

Limited exploitation activity has been observed. Close monitoring and planned remediation are recommended.

EPSS
0.40%

The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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Medium severity
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