Is CVE-2026-53838 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2026-53838 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2026-53838 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2026-53838 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-53838?

CVE-2026-53838 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

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CRITICAL

CVE-2026-53838

CWE-367Published: June 12, 2026· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

EPSS:0.22%probability of exploitation in 30 daysPercentile:12.1th

Official Description

OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions. Attackers can exploit reconnection logic to restore or present broader node authority than intended, potentially bypassing approval restrictions.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

This critical state mutation vulnerability in OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 allows paired nodes to confuse approval scope decisions during reconnection. With a CVSS score of 9.8, this flaw poses an extreme risk, as it can enable an attacker to bypass intended approval restrictions and potentially gain broader node authority. The absence of an EPSS score means the likelihood of exploitation is not yet quantified, but the high CVSS score indicates severe potential impact.

No public exploit is currently known for this vulnerability. Its remote exploitability (AV:N) and low attack complexity mean that if an exploit were to emerge, it could be easily leveraged by attackers.

Recommended Action

OpenClaw users should upgrade to version 2026.5.27 or later to address this vulnerability. Ensure that all nodes are running the patched version to prevent exploitation during reconnection.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2026-53838 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.