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- Clawdbot, now OpenClaw, has multiple critical vulnerabilities.
- Remote Code Execution (RCE) allows malicious exploitation via a link.
- Misconfigurations expose control interfaces and sensitive data.
- Prompt injection attacks can quickly compromise an AI framework.
- Organizations must adopt robust mitigation strategies to ensure safety.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Vulnerabilities in Clawdbot
- 1. Remote Code Execution (RCE)
- 2. Exposed Control Interfaces
- 3. Authentication Bypass and Sensitive Data Leaks
- 4. Prompt Injection and Cognitive Attacks
- 5. Malicious Skills/Extensions
- 6. Other Design Risks
- Timeline and Impact of Vulnerabilities
- Mitigation Recommendations
- Conclusion: A Call to Action
Understanding the Vulnerabilities in Clawdbot
Clawdbot’s architecture and design flaws have resulted in substantial risks. With capabilities that grant broad system access—including shell execution, file system privileges, and integrations with emails, chats, and web contexts—the vulnerabilities identified present options for remote exploitation and unauthorized access.
1. Remote Code Execution (RCE)
One of the most concerning issues is the identified RCE vulnerability (CVE-2026-25253) that enables a stranger to exploit Clawdbot with just a click on a malicious link. Even if deployed in loopback-only setups, the victim’s browser can serve as a bridge, leading to exploitation of the gateway. Other command injection flaws (CVE-2026-24763 and CVE-2026-25157) compound the risks, creating a dire situation for anyone utilizing the system. More detailed insights can be explored through the Tenable blog and The Hacker News.
2. Exposed Control Interfaces
Misconfiguration issues—such as deploying behind reverse proxies like Nginx without properly securing external access—lead to serious breaches. These misconfigurations can treat external connections as localhost, thereby bypassing authentication entirely. Shockingly, over 1,000 servers exposed have been identified, many leaking sensitive data including API keys, Telegram/Slack tokens, and conversation histories. If you want to delve deeper, Acuvity’s write-up offers a detailed analysis here.
3. Authentication Bypass and Sensitive Data Leaks
Another grave threat emerges from flaws in the gateway which allow external attackers to skip login protocols entirely. Sensitive information like credentials, API keys, and user profiles are being stored plainly in Markdown and JSON files (for instance, memory.md and clawdbot.json). This creates a worrying situation where malware like RedLine, Lumma, and Vidar can target these exposed files with ease. Reference Cisco’s insights for further understanding of the implications here.
4. Prompt Injection and Cognitive Attacks
Prompt injection vulnerabilities allow external inputs through emails, web pages, chats, and more to execute commands within an AI framework. This can result in quick exfiltration of data, such as SSH keys, while also allowing attackers to delete files or publish sensitive secrets via social media platforms. The lack of a reliable distinction between trusted and malicious content raises serious alarm bells. Additional insights can be found in this Palo Alto Networks blog.
5. Malicious Skills/Extensions
The ClawHub repository contains hundreds of malicious skills, with 386 confirmed to have affected over 7,000 installations. These skills often target high-value assets like crypto wallets and have been known to install malware or steal sensitive information. The absence of proper vetting by creators makes this a significant area of concern.
6. Other Design Risks
Excessive autonomy granted to the AI, allowing it root access to files and networks without proper controls, plus inadequate human oversight, deepen the security crisis. Moreover, third-party integrations running with full privileges represent an additional weak link in the security chain. For a broader perspective, take a look at the Palo Alto Networks blog.
Timeline and Impact of Vulnerabilities
The vulnerabilities primarily affected early deployments of Clawdbot and Moltbot, with the RCE vulnerability addressed only in OpenClaw version 2026.1.29—available starting January 30, 2026. The rebranding from Clawdbot to OpenClaw was driven by trademark-related issues with Anthropic but also highlighted concerning incidents where crypto scammers hijacked identities on platforms like GitHub during the transition. More details are available on The Hacker News.
Mitigation Recommendations
To safeguard against the identified vulnerabilities and enhance security posture, organizations should consider the following strategies:\n\n
- Whitelisting Tools: Strictly enforce the guidelines outlined in the OpenClaw Security Guide to whitelist only necessary tools and disable shell execution. More insights are available through Tenable’s blog.
- Re-evaluate Gateway Configurations: Set strong gateway authentication protocols and verify reverse proxy headers. Built-in security audits can also help uncover misconfigurations.
- Sandboxing and Key Management: Adopt sandboxing techniques for third-party integrations to limit their access. Ensure API keys have minimal scopes and are restricted to trusted channels and audience members.
- Vet the Supply Chain: Conduct thorough vetting of supply chain dependencies, including any plugins or skills in use. Employ automated tools for repository scanning and pull request blocking to manage dependencies effectively.
- Understand the Limitations: Documentation indicates that “running an AI agent with shell access is… spicy”. The emphasis here is on user configurations, which potentially amplify risks. Users must be educated on best practices for deployments to minimize these risks.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The vulnerabilities present in Clawdbot, Moltbot, and OpenClaw present urgent challenges that must be addressed to ensure the security of organizations embracing AI technology. Continuous education, strategic planning, and adherence to security best practices are vital in mitigating the risks posed by these vulnerabilities.
As AI technologies advance, so too do the methodologies employed by malicious entities seeking to exploit systemic weaknesses. Thus, it is paramount to stay updated with the latest practices and guidance in the field.
To delve deeper into the topic of Clawdbot vulnerabilities and discover strategies for effective mitigation, feel free to explore the links provided in this article. Engage with the aforementioned resources to build a more robust understanding and security posture.
Let’s make our digital world safer—one informed decision at a time.
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