OpenClaw: Incorrect Behavior Order
CVE-2026-35640 is a high-severity incorrect behavior order vulnerability in OpenClaw, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2026.3.25 as the first without the flaw, so updating OpenClaw to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update OpenClaw to 2026.3.25 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.9 | Medium | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
OpenClaw before 2026.3.25 parses JSON request bodies before validating webhook signatures, allowing unauthenticated attackers to force resource-intensive parsing operations. Remote attackers can send malicious webhook requests to trigger denial of service by exhausting server resources through forced JSON parsing before signature rejection.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Behavior Order
The product performs multiple related behaviors, but the behaviors are performed in the wrong order in ways that may produce resultant weaknesses.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
Other vulnerabilities in OpenClaw
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
Recent Incorrect Behavior Order vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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