CVE-2026-53849

HIGH 8.6

Published 2026-06-16 · Last modified 2026-06-18

OpenClaw before 2026.5.7 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability where the allowFrom feature improperly validates Discord account identity using mutable display names instead of immutable user IDs. Attackers with Discord accounts can change their display name to match a policy entry and gain unauthorized agent access intended for another Discord identity.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 8.6), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.3%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 19th percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

8.6CVSS 4.0 · HIGH

ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone

What an attacker needs

✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
⚠Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
✓Requirements: No special attack requirements

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

github-search Search GitHub for public PoC repos

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-53849/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-53849/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Openclaw

Products Openclaw

Weakness (CWE)

CWE-290: Authentication Bypass by Spoofing

CVSS vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Known Affected Software Configurations

Vendor	Product	Version range
Openclaw	Openclaw	< 2026.5.7
Openclaw	Openclaw	2026.5.7

All CVSS metrics

HIGH 8.6 v4.0 · CNA Primary
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
HIGH 8.1 v3.1 · CNA Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
HIGH 8.6 v4.0 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
HIGH 8.1 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References

Advisories

https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-cw4q-gqg5-g38h vendor-advisoryVendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-privilege-escalation-via-mutable-discord-display-names-in-allowfrom third-party-advisoryThird Party Advisory

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS