CVE-2026-43574 — OpenClaw < 2026.4.12 - Improper Authorization via Empty Approver Lists

Affected: OpenClaw

OpenClaw before 2026.4.12 contains an improper authorization vulnerability in helper-backed channels where empty resolved approver lists are interpreted as explicit approval authorization. Attackers can resolve pending approvals without proper authorization by exploiting this logic flaw if they know an approval id.

GHSA-49cg-279w-m73x — OpenClaw: Empty approver lists could grant explicit approval authorization

Affected: npm: openclaw

## Summary

Empty approver lists could grant explicit approval authorization.

## Affected Packages / Versions

- Package: `openclaw` - Ecosystem: npm - Affected versions: `< 2026.4.12` - Patched versions: `>= 2026.4.12`

## Impact

For helper-backed channels, an empty resolved approver list could be interpreted as explicit approval authorization, allowing a sender outside the normal channel authorization gate to resolve pending approvals if they knew an approval id.

## Technical Details

The fix prevents empty approver lists from granting explicit approval authorization and adds regression coverage for unauthorized senders.

## Fix

The issue was fixed in #65714. The first stable tag containing the fix is `v2026.4.12`, and `openclaw@2026.4.14` includes the fix.

## Fix Commit(s)

- `0a105c0900de701d2ee9f1abc96b017afbd0afdd` - PR: #65714

## Release Process Note

Users should upgrade to `openclaw` 2026.4.12 or newer. The latest npm release, `2026.4.14`, already includes the fix.

## Credits

Thanks to @anshumanbh for reporting this issue.

Most recent entries from all

CVE-2026-43574 — OpenClaw < 2026.4.12 - Improper Authorization via Empty Approver Lists

GHSA-49cg-279w-m73x — OpenClaw: Empty approver lists could grant explicit approval authorization