GitHub Advisoryadvisory · npm
GHSA-rmxw-jxxx-4cpc OpenClaw has a Matrix allowlist bypass via displayName and cross-homeserver localpart matching
MEDIUM
Official page ↗
- Aliases
- CVE-2026-28471
- Ecosystem
- npm
- Packages
- openclaw
- Severity
- Moderate
- CVSS vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
- Weaknesses
- CWE-287, CWE-290
- Reviewed
- 2026-02-17
Affected packages
• npm openclaw: >= 2026.1.14-1, < 2026.2.2 → fixed in 2026.2.2
Description
Summary
OpenClaw Matrix DM allowlist matching could be bypassed in certain configurations.
Matrix support ships as an optional plugin (not bundled with the core install), so this only affects deployments that have installed and enabled the Matrix plugin.
Affected Packages / Versions
• Package: `openclaw` (npm)
• Affected: `>= 2026.1.14-1, = 2026.2.2`
Details
In affected versions, DM allowlist decisions could be made by exact-matching `channels.matrix.dm.allowFrom` entries against multiple sender-derived candidates, including:
• The sender display name (attacker-controlled and non-unique)
• The sender MXID localpart with the homeserver discarded, so `@alice:evil.example` and `@alice:trusted.example` both match `alice`
If an operator configured `channels.matrix.dm.allowFrom` with display names or bare localparts (for example, `"Alice"` or `"alice"`), a remote Matrix user may be able to impersonate an allowed identity for allowlist purposes and reach the routing/agent pipeline.
Impact
Matrix DM allowlist identity confusion. The practical impact depends on your Matrix channel policies and what capabilities are enabled downstream.
Mitigation
• Upgrade to `openclaw >= 2026.2.2`.
• Ensure Matrix allowlists contain only full Matrix user IDs (MXIDs) like `@user:server` (or `*`). Do not use display names or bare localparts.
Fix Commit(s)
• `8f3bfbd1c4fb967a2ddb5b4b9a05784920814bcf`
Release Process Note
The patched version is already published to npm; the advisory can be published once you're ready.
Thanks @MegaManSec (https://joshua.hu) of AISLE Research Team for reporting.
Related
Alias · CVE (1)
- CVE-2026-28471 OpenClaw version 2026.1.14-1 prior to 2026.2.2, with the Matrix plugin installed and enabled, contain a vulnerability in which DM allowlist… vulnerability
References
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-rmxw-jxxx-4cpc web
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-28471 advisory
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/8f3bfbd1c4fb967a2ddb5b4b9a05784920814bcf web
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw package
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.2.2 web
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-allowlist-bypass-via-displayname-and-cross-homeserver-localpart-matching-in-matrix web