OpenWA is a free, open source, self-hosted WhatsApp API gateway. Prior to 0.23.5, the /events WebSocket gateway delivers the session.qr event to a VIEWER API key that subscribes by event name or through either wildcard subscription form, even though GET /api/sessions/{sessionId}/qr requires the OPERATOR role. When an allowed session is waiting to be paired, the exposed QR lets the key holder link an external device to the WhatsApp account and then read and send messages outside OpenWA and its audit trail. Keys restricted through allowedSessions remain limited to those sessions, and deployments that issue only OPERATOR or ADMIN keys are not affected. This issue is fixed in version 0.23.5.

OpenWA is a free, open source, self-hosted WhatsApp API gateway. Prior to 0.23.5, the GET /api/sessions/{sessionId}/groups/{groupId}/invite-code endpoint and the GroupGetInviteCode MCP tool have no OPERATOR role requirement, allowing a valid VIEWER key scoped to a session to retrieve an active group invite code. The invite code is a transferable WhatsApp bearer capability, so an external account can join a group administered by the session without an OpenWA credential, gain read and post access to the group, and retain membership after the VIEWER key is revoked. Affected deployments are those that issue VIEWER keys to parties who should not be able to add accounts to administered groups; OPERATOR and ADMIN access is intended. This issue is fixed in version 0.23.5.