Affected: OpenClaw

OpenClaw before 2026.4.25 contains a scope containment bypass vulnerability in device re-pairing that allows authenticated operators to restore broader scopes than intended by submitting empty-scope re-pairing requests. Attackers can exploit this by sending re-pairing requests with empty scope sets to skip containment guards and retain unauthorized device access.

Affected: npm: openclaw

### Summary

Empty-scope device re-pairing could confuse caller scope containment. In affected versions, a device re-pairing request with an empty scope set could skip the intended containment guard during re-pairing.

This advisory is scoped to the named feature and configuration. It does not change OpenClaw's trusted-operator model: authenticated Gateway operators, installed plugins, and intentional local execution surfaces remain trusted unless a separate policy, approval, allowlist, sandbox, or auth boundary is crossed.

### Impact

When the affected feature is enabled and reachable, this could restore or retain scopes broader than the caller should grant. Practical impact depends on the operator's configuration and whether lower-trust input can reach that path.

### Patched Versions

The first stable patched version is `2026.4.25`.

### Mitigations

revoke unexpected device sessions and require fresh pairing for suspicious devices until patched. As general hardening, keep channel and tool allowlists narrow, avoid sharing one Gateway between mutually untrusted users, and disable the affected feature when it is not needed.