Is OpenClaw Safe?
No. OpenClaw is not safe for production use by default.
OpenClaw is risky in production because it exposes command execution, credentials, and network access by default. Without additional security measures, your deployment is vulnerable to credential theft, data exfiltration, and remote code execution.
This guide explains the specific risks and how to mitigate them.
The Short Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is OpenClaw safe for local use? | Yes, with normal precautions |
| Is OpenClaw safe for production? | No, not by default |
| Can OpenClaw be made safe? | Yes, with proper hardening |
| Should I expose OpenClaw to the internet? | Not without security controls |
Why OpenClaw Is Risky
OpenClaw's architecture prioritizes flexibility over security. This works fine for local development but creates serious vulnerabilities in production.
1. Default Port Exposure
OpenClaw binds to 0.0.0.0 by default.
What this means: Your agent's control interface is accessible from any IP address, not just localhost.
The risk: Anyone who can reach your server can control your agent.
2. No Authentication
The default configuration has no authentication on the gateway.
What this means: No password, no token, no API key required.
The risk: Open access to agent commands, conversation history, and tool execution.
3. Plaintext Credentials
API keys are stored in ~/.openclaw/credentials/ as plaintext.
What this means: Your Anthropic, OpenAI, and other API keys are readable by anyone with server access.
The risk: Credential theft leading to unauthorized API usage and billing.
4. Localhost Trust Bypass
OpenClaw treats localhost connections as trusted.
What this means: If you use a reverse proxy (nginx, Traefik, Caddy), external requests appear to come from localhost.
The risk: Authentication bypassed entirely. This is how most exposed instances got hacked.
5. The Lethal Trifecta
Security researcher Simon Willison coined this term for AI agents that have:
- Access to private data (files, credentials, APIs)
- Exposure to untrusted content (user prompts, web inputs)
- Ability to communicate externally (HTTP calls, email, shell)
What this means: Every OpenClaw instance has all three capabilities by default.
The risk: Prompt injection can lead to data exfiltration, credential theft, or remote code execution.
Real Security Incidents
These attacks have already happened:
| Incident | Impact |
|---|---|
| 42,665 exposed instances found via Shodan | API keys, configs, conversation history leaked |
| 93.4% of discovered instances vulnerable | Remote code execution possible |
| Hundreds of exposed dashboards | Full agent control without auth |
| Poisoned skills in repositories | Backdoors exfiltrating credentials |
Sources: Maor Dayan security research, VentureBeat, Cisco AI security report (January 2026)
How to Make OpenClaw Safe
Option 1: Manual Hardening (DIY)
If you self-host, you must:
- Bind to loopback only — Never
0.0.0.0 - Add authentication — Token auth at minimum
- Encrypt credentials — Don't store API keys in plaintext
- Control network egress — Allowlist approved domains
- Enable audit logging — Log all agent actions
- Add approval workflows — Block high-risk actions
Time required: Hours to days depending on experience.
Maintenance: Ongoing. You must monitor, patch, and update.
Option 2: Managed Runtime (Clawctl)
Clawctl is a secure, managed runtime for OpenClaw that provides:
- Loopback binding with token authentication
- Encrypted secrets vault with runtime injection
- Network egress control via domain allowlists
- Human-in-the-loop approvals for 70+ high-risk actions
- Full audit logging with search and export
- Prompt injection defenses enabled by default
Time required: 60 seconds.
Maintenance: Managed. Clawctl handles security patches and updates.
Security Checklist for OpenClaw
Use this checklist before deploying OpenClaw to production:
Network Security
- Agent binds to
127.0.0.1, not0.0.0.0 - Firewall blocks direct access to agent ports
- Reverse proxy configured correctly (no localhost bypass)
- TLS/HTTPS enabled for all connections
- Network egress restricted to approved domains
Authentication & Authorization
- Gateway authentication enabled and enforced
- API tokens rotated regularly
- Session timeouts configured
- Multi-user access controlled via RBAC
Credential Security
- API keys encrypted at rest
- No plaintext credentials on disk
- Credentials injected at runtime only
- Key rotation process documented
Monitoring & Auditing
- All agent actions logged
- Logs retained for compliance period
- Alerts configured for anomalous behavior
- Audit export available for security review
Human Oversight
- High-risk actions require approval
- Kill switch available for emergencies
- Escalation process documented
- Incident response plan exists
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenClaw safe to run on my laptop?
Yes, generally. For local use without internet exposure, OpenClaw's default configuration is acceptable. The risks emerge when you expose it to the network or run it in production.
Can I run OpenClaw on a VPS securely?
Yes, but not with defaults. You must configure authentication, encrypt credentials, restrict network access, and add monitoring. This takes hours and requires ongoing maintenance.
Is there a secure way to run OpenClaw in production?
Yes. Either harden it yourself (see checklist above) or use a managed runtime like Clawctl that provides security controls out of the box.
What's the fastest way to deploy OpenClaw securely?
Clawctl. Deploy in 60 seconds with security defaults — start from the web portal →
Has OpenClaw been hacked?
Yes. Security researchers found 42,665 exposed instances in January 2026, with 93.4% vulnerable to exploitation. Multiple incidents of credential theft and unauthorized access have been documented.
Should I use OpenClaw for my startup?
Yes, but deploy it securely. OpenClaw is powerful and useful. The problem isn't the technology — it's running it without proper security controls.
Summary
OpenClaw is not safe for production by default.
The risks are real:
- Exposed ports give attackers control
- Plaintext credentials get stolen
- No audit trail means you can't debug or prove compliance
- The lethal trifecta enables prompt injection attacks
The solution:
- Harden it yourself (hours of work, ongoing maintenance)
- Use a managed runtime like Clawctl (60 seconds, security built in)
Don't be one of the 42,665 exposed instances.
Deploy OpenClaw securely with Clawctl
Security questions? security@mg.clawctl.com