How severe is CVE-2026-53838?

CVE-2026-53838 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-53838 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-53838?

CVE-2026-53838 affects Openclaw. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-53838?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2026-53838 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-53838 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-36626.

When was CVE-2026-53838 published?

CVE-2026-53838 was published on 2026-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2026-53838

CVE-2026-53838 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Openclaw with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-367.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v4: 6.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (13th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-36626
Weakness: CWE-367
Affected product: Openclaw
Published: 2026-06-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-53838?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2026-53838?: CVE-2026-53838 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-53838 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-53838?: CVE-2026-53838 affects Openclaw. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53838?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-53838 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2026-53838 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-36626.
When was CVE-2026-53838 published?: CVE-2026-53838 was published on 2026-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:openclaw:openclaw:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

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