T05 · Unauthorized Access and Privilege Escalation
- Location
references/failure-playbook.md:13- Finding
Execution Approval Controls Can Be Disabled Without Adequate Safeguards
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
references/failure-playbook.md, lines 13-17
Vulnerability Type:T05: Unauthorized Access and Privilege Escalation
Risk Level: HighVulnerable Code Snippet
markdown ### 处理 1. 查看目标审批配置： - `openclaw approvals get --node <id|name>` 2. 需要无审批放行时，设置： - `security=full, ask=off, askFallback=full` 3. 复测最小命令：Technical Analysis
The failure playbook recommends setting the target node to full execution access while disabling interactive approval. This removes a security boundary intended to require operator confirmation before remote command execution.
The instructions do not require explicit operator authorization, restrict the exception to a particular command, set an automatic expiration time, record the previous policy, or restore the original approval configuration after testing. The subsequent recommendation to run a minimal test command does not constrain other commands that could be executed while the permissive policy remains active.
Although this instruction is presented as remediation for an approval timeout, disabling approval and enabling full access grants broader authority than is necessary to diagnose the underlying issue.
Attack Path
- An attacker, compromised agent session, or erroneous workflow causes or encounters an
approval timed outerror. - An operator or agent follows the documented playbook.
- The target node is configured with
security=full,ask=off, andaskFallback=full. - Interactive confirmation is no longer required for commands sent through the node execution channel.
- The attacker or compromised session submits commands beyond the intended diagnostic test.
- Because the playbook contains no mandatory rollback step, the permissive configuration may remain active and enable unauthorized commands in later sessions.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation can allow unapproved command execution on the affected node with the permissions ...[truncated 481 chars]
- An attacker, compromised agent session, or erroneous workflow causes or encounters an
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Keep interactive approval enabled by default and first diagnose why no approval endpoint is available.
- Require explicit operator authorization before changing any execution approval policy.
- Prefer granting approval for one specific command rather than enabling unrestricted execution.
- Scope any temporary exception to the exact node, operator identity, command, and troubleshooting session.
- Add a short automatic expiration period to temporary approval-policy exceptions.
- Capture the current approval configuration before making changes.
- Restore and verify the original configuration immediately after the diagnostic command completes, including on error or timeout.
- Log the approving operator, target node ID, reason, policy change, permitted command, start time, expiration time, and rollback result.
- Avoid using
security=fullunless no narrower permission level can satisfy the documented diagnostic task. - Update the playbook with a mandatory rollback and verification sequence, for example:
markdown 1. Record the current approval policy for the target node. 2. Obtain explicit operator authorization for a narrowly scoped, time-limited exception. 3. Permit only the required diagnostic command. 4. Run the diagnostic command serially. 5. Restore the recorded policy immediately. 6. Verify that interactive approval is enabled again.