OpenClaw: Trailing-dot localhost CDP hosts could bypass remote loopback protections
## Summary Before OpenClaw 2026.4.2, remote CDP discovery could return a trailing-dot localhost host such as `localhost.` and bypass OpenClaw's loopback-host normalization. That let a non-loopback remote CDP profile pivot the follow-up connection back onto localhost. ## Impact A hostile discovery response could retarget authenticated browser control toward a localhost-resolving endpoint on the OpenClaw host. This weakened the existing remote-CDP loopback protection and could expose localhost-backed browser state. ## Affected Packages / Versions - Package: `openclaw` (npm) - Affected versions: `<= 2026.4.1` - Patched versions: `>= 2026.4.2` - Latest published npm version: `2026.4.1` ## Fix Commit(s) - `9c22d636697336a6b22b0ae24798d8b8325d7828` — normalize localhost absolute-form CDP hosts before loopback checks ## Release Process Note The fix is present on `main` and is staged for OpenClaw `2026.4.2`. Publish this advisory after the `2026.4.2` npm release is live. Thanks @smaeljaish771 for reporting.
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-41372US | — | — | ||
OpenClaw before 2026.4.2 fails to normalize trailing-dot localhost hosts in remote CDP discovery responses, allowing bypass of loopback protections. Attackers can craft hostile dis… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclawPACKAGE
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/9c22d636697336a6b22b0ae24798d8b8325d7828WEB
- https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-fh32-73r9-rgh5WEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41372ADVISORY
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-loopback-protection-bypass-via-trailing-dot-localhost-in-cdp-discoveryWEB
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