OpenClaw has a Gateway HTTP /v1/models Route Bypasses Operator Read Scope
> Fixed in OpenClaw 2026.3.24, the current shipping release. ## Summary The OpenAI-compatible HTTP endpoint `/v1/models` accepts bearer auth but does not enforce operator method scopes. In contrast, the WebSocket RPC path enforces `operator.read` for `models.list`. A caller connected with `operator.approvals` (no read scope) is rejected for `models.list` (`missing scope: operator.read`) but can still enumerate model metadata through HTTP `/v1/models`. Confirmed on current `main` at commit `06de515b6c42816b62ec752e1c221cab67b38501`. ## Details The WS control-plane path enforces role/scope checks centrally before dispatching methods. For non-admin operators, this includes required method scopes such as `operator.read` for `models.list`. The HTTP compatibility path for `/v1/models` performs bearer authorization and then returns model metadata; it does not apply an equivalent scope check. As reproduced, a caller with only `operator.approvals` can: 1. connect successfully, 2. fail `models.list` over WS with `missing scope: operator.read`, 3. fetch `/v1/models` over HTTP with status 200 and model data. This is a cross-surface authorization inconsistency where the stricter WS policy can be bypassed via HTTP. ## Impact - Callers lacking `operator.read` can still enumerate gateway model metadata through HTTP compatibility routes. - Breaks scope model consistency between WS RPC and HTTP surfaces. - Weakens least-privilege expectations for operators granted non-read scopes. ## Patch Suggestion ### 1) Enforce read scope on `/v1/models` routes Apply a scope gate equivalent to `models.list` before serving `/v1/models` or `/v1/models/:id`. ### 2) Reuse centralized scope-authorization helper for HTTP compatibility endpoints Use the same operator scope logic used by WS dispatch (`authorizeOperatorScopesForMethod(...)`) to prevent policy drift. ### 3) Add regression tests Keep this PoC and add explicit negative/positive controls: - `operator.approvals` without read is rejected on HTTP `/v1/models`. - `operator.read` is accepted on both WS `models.list` and HTTP `/v1/models`. ## Credit Reported by @zpbrent.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-35619US | —OT elevated | — | ||
OpenClaw before 2026.3.24 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability in the HTTP /v1/models endpoint that fails to enforce operator read scope requirements. Attackers with only… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclawPACKAGE
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/06de515b6c42816b62ec752e1c221cab67b38501WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-68f8-9mhj-h2mpWEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35619ADVISORY
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-authorization-bypass-via-http-v1-models-endpointWEB
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