Affected: OpenClaw

OpenClaw before 2026.4.21 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability in command-auth.ts that allows non-owner senders to execute owner-enforced slash commands when wildcard inbound senders are configured without explicit owner allowFrom settings. Attackers can exploit this by sending commands like /send, /config, or /debug on affected channels to bypass owner-only command authorization checks.

Affected: npm: openclaw

## Impact

OpenClaw deployments before `2026.4.21` could treat a non-owner sender as authorized for owner-enforced slash commands when all of the following were true:

- a channel plugin declared `commands.enforceOwnerForCommands: true`; - the channel accepted wildcard inbound senders with `allowFrom: ["*"]`; - no explicit `commands.ownerAllowFrom` was configured.

In that state, `src/auto-reply/command-auth.ts` reused the channel inbound wildcard as part of the command-owner decision. A sender who was not the owner could therefore pass the owner-command gate for commands such as `/send`, `/config`, or `/debug` on the affected channel.

The issue is limited to the command-owner authorization axis. It does not by itself grant owner-only tool access, host/sandbox access, or gateway administrator scope.

## Affected Packages / Versions

- Package: `openclaw` on npm - Affected versions: `<= 2026.4.20` - Patched version: `2026.4.21`

The latest public release, `2026.4.21`, contains the fix.

## Patches

The fix requires a concrete owner identity or internal operator-admin scope when a plugin enforces owner-only commands. Wildcard channel `allowFrom` no longer implies wildcard command ownership.

Fix commits:

- `2aa93d44a1b2c7058c371f261fda2b5d4de4a882` on `main` - `995febb7b1e811ff6a1df5b18c22de94103f4c9f` in the `2026.4.21` release line

## Workarounds

Upgrade to `openclaw@2026.4.21` or later. Before upgrading, avoid wildcard/open-DM sender policy on owner-enforced channels, o…