CVE-2020-14188 in gajira-create
Summary
by MITRE • 11/10/2020
The preprocessArgs function in the Atlassian gajira-create GitHub Action before version 2.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of a GitHub runner by creating a specially crafted GitHub issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14188 resides within the Atlassian gajira-create GitHub Action, specifically in its preprocessArgs function prior to version 2.0.1. This issue represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security posture of automated CI/CD workflows relying on this action. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the action's argument processing logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of GitHub runner environments. The attack vector leverages the creation of specially crafted GitHub issues, which when processed by the vulnerable action, trigger the execution of unintended commands on the runner system.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of user-supplied data within the preprocessArgs function, which processes arguments passed to the gajira-create action. This function fails to properly validate or sanitize inputs derived from GitHub issue content, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that get executed as part of the action's processing pipeline. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code. The root cause lies in the action's trust of external inputs without adequate sanitization, creating a code injection vulnerability that can be exploited through issue creation in GitHub repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within software development environments that utilize GitHub Actions for issue tracking and project management integration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on GitHub runners, potentially gaining access to sensitive repository data, credentials, or build artifacts. The compromise extends beyond simple code execution to include potential lateral movement within the CI/CD pipeline, as the action runs with elevated privileges on the runner environment. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as the malicious code executes within legitimate runner contexts with appropriate permissions. Organizations using this action in their workflows face significant risk of unauthorized access to their development environments and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14188 require immediate action to update the Atlassian gajira-create GitHub Action to version 2.0.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting repository permissions, implementing proper code review processes for GitHub Actions workflows, and monitoring for unusual issue creation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all external inputs within automated workflows and demonstrates the critical need for secure coding practices in CI/CD tooling. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while ensuring that all GitHub Actions used in production environments are regularly updated and audited for security compliance.