T05 · Unauthorized Access and Privilege Escalation
- Location
openclaw.plugin.json:7- Finding
Unnecessary Geolocation and Environmental Sensor Permissions
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
openclaw.plugin.json, lines 7-11
Vulnerability Type: Excessive device permissions violating least privilege
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
json "permissions": { "network": ["localhost"], "device": ["geolocation", "environmental_sensors"], "tools": ["execute_nomad_expansion"] },Technical Analysis
The plugin manifest grants access to precise geolocation and environmental sensors even though the current implementation in
handler.pydoes not access either capability. The documented workflow inSKILL.mdalso directs the agent to ask the user or host system to provide coordinates instead of reading GPS data directly.These device permissions therefore exceed the minimum privileges required for the implemented in-memory grid simulation. Permission overprovisioning weakens the security boundary because a compromised handler, malicious update, or subsequently added code could access sensitive device telemetry without requiring a new permission grant.
The current reviewed implementation does not collect or exfiltrate geolocation or sensor information. The vulnerability is the preauthorized access surface created by the manifest.
Attack Path
- A user installs or enables the plugin with the permissions declared in
openclaw.plugin.json. - The host grants the plugin access to geolocation and environmental sensor capabilities.
- The handler is later compromised, replaced, or updated with code that invokes the authorized device APIs.
- That code reads precise location or environmental telemetry under the plugin's existing authorization.
- The acquired data could then be processed, retained, or exposed through another available channel without requiring a new device-permission request.
The reviewed version contains no code that performs steps 3 through 5, but the excessive authorization makes this path possible after compromise or an ...[truncated 530 chars]
- A user installs or enables the plugin with the permissions declared in
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
-
Remove the unused device permissions from the manifest:
json "permissions": { "network": ["localhost"], "tools": ["execute_nomad_expansion"] } -
Review whether localhost network access is also necessary. Remove it if no implemented feature requires network communication.
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Continue accepting coordinates explicitly supplied by the user or trusted host, as described in
SKILL.md. -
If direct GPS or sensor access is implemented later, request only the specific capability needed and require explicit, purpose-specific runtime consent.
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Limit sensor access to the shortest practical duration and avoid retaining raw location or telemetry unless required.
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Add automated checks that compare manifest permissions against APIs actually used by the implementation to prevent future privilege drift.
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