Hook Bypass Vulnerability in OpenClaw: Skill-command Dispatch Issue
Summary
GHSA-r7vv-6763-m739: Duplicate Advisory: Skill-command dispatch could skip before-tool-call hooks. Affects openclaw versions < 2026.5.5. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
OpenClaw is an open-source tool designed for managing skill commands in various applications. It allows developers to create and manage commands efficiently, providing a structured way to handle user interactions. However, prior to version 2026.5.6, OpenClaw had a vulnerability that allowed skill commands to bypass essential auditing and policy enforcement mechanisms, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a hook bypass in the skill command dispatch path. Specifically, skill commands routed through this path can skip the before-tool-call hooks, which are crucial for auditing and enforcing policies. This flaw can be exploited by attackers to send skill commands that bypass these hooks, leading to unauthorized access or actions within the application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-693, indicating a potential for improper control of a resource through its lifetime.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To rectify this vulnerability, users should update OpenClaw to version 2026.5.6 or later. This can be done by running the following command in your terminal: 'npm install openclaw@2026.5.6'. This update addresses the hook bypass issue and ensures that all skill commands are properly audited.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, developers can implement additional checks in their application logic to ensure that skill commands are validated before execution. This can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized actions until the package is updated. For example, you could add a validation function that checks the integrity of commands before processing them.
Conclusion
The hook bypass vulnerability in OpenClaw poses a risk by allowing skill commands to bypass essential auditing mechanisms. It is crucial for users to update to version 2026.5.6 or later to mitigate this risk. Additionally, implementing temporary workarounds can help protect applications until the update is applied.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows skill commands to bypass important auditing hooks, which can lead to unauthorized actions.
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The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 4.3, indicating a low severity level.
Yes, a patch is available in version 2026.5.6 of OpenClaw, which addresses the hook bypass issue.
If an immediate update is not possible, implement additional validation checks in your application to mitigate risks until the update can be applied.
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