OpenClaw's gateway connect could skip device identity checks when auth.token was present but not yet validated
Summary
The gateway WebSocket connect handshake could allow skipping device identity checks when auth.token was present but not yet validated.
Details
In src/gateway/server/ws-connection/message-handler.ts, the device-identity requirement could be bypassed based on the presence of a non-empty connectParams.auth.token rather than a validated shared-secret authentication result.
Impact
In deployments where the gateway WebSocket is reachable and connections can be authorized via Tailscale without validating the shared secret, a client could connect without providing device identity/pairing. Depending on version and configuration, this could result in operator access.
Deployment Guidance
Per OpenClaw security guidance, the gateway should only be reachable from a trusted network and by trusted users (for example, restrict Tailnet users/ACLs when using Tailscale Serve).
If the gateway WebSocket is only reachable by trusted users, there is typically no untrusted party with network access to exploit this issue.
Affected Packages / Versions
- Package:
openclaw(npm) - Affected:
<= 2026.2.1 - Fixed:
>= 2026.2.2
Fix
Device-identity skipping now requires validated shared-secret authentication (token/password). Tailscale-authenticated connections without validated shared secret require device identity.
Fix Commit(s)
- fe81b1d7125a014b8280da461f34efbf5f761575
Thanks @simecek for reporting.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | openclaw | < 2026.2.2 | 2026.2.2 |
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rv39-79c4-7459
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28472
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/fe81b1d7125a014b8280da461f34efbf5f761575
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.2
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-device-identity-check-bypass-in-gateway-websocket-connect-handshake
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-306- Platform
- npm
- Package
openclaw- Disclosed
- 17.02.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-rv39-79c4-7459 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: openclaw
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 589
- First → latest
- 02.2026 10.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 20
- High 215
- Medium 300
- Low 54
Disclosures per year
- 2026: 589
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OpenClaw's gateway connect could skip device identity checks when auth.token was present but not yet validated this entry
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