OpenClaw < 2026.5.18 - Scope Bypass via Inherited chat.send Route

OpenClaw before 2026.5.18 contains a scope bypass vulnerability in the Gateway chat.send route that allows scoped clients to execute privileged commands. Attackers with operator.write scope can deliver commands through inherited external routes to bypass operator.approvals and operator.admin scope requirements, enabling unauthorized plugin, config, MCP, allowlist, and ACP mutations.