CVE-2026-28471: OpenClaw has a Matrix allowlist bypass via displayName and cross-homeserver localpart matching

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
• Patched: >= 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.