CVE-2024-1482 in GitHub
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
An incorrect authorization vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed an attacker to create new branches in public repositories and run arbitrary GitHub Actions workflows with permissions from the GITHUB_TOKEN. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need access to the Enterprise Server. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server after 3.8 and prior to 3.12, and was fixed in versions 3.9.10, 3.10.7, 3.11.5. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw in GitHub Enterprise Server that fundamentally undermines the security model of repository access controls and automated workflow execution. The issue stems from improper validation of user permissions within the platform's branch creation and workflow execution mechanisms, allowing unauthorized actors to bypass normal access controls when they gain access to the enterprise server itself. The vulnerability specifically affects versions between 3.8 and 3.12, creating a window of exposure where organizations using these versions faced significant risk of unauthorized code execution and repository manipulation. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how insufficient access control validation can lead to privilege escalation scenarios. The vulnerability was discovered through the GitHub Bug Bounty program, highlighting the importance of coordinated disclosure and community-driven security research in identifying critical flaws before they can be exploited at scale.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with access to the GitHub Enterprise Server can leverage the authorization bypass to create new branches in public repositories and subsequently execute arbitrary GitHub Actions workflows. This process leverages the GITHUB_TOKEN permissions, which typically should be restricted to authorized users and specific repository contexts. The flaw allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through the workflow execution system, effectively enabling them to run malicious code within the context of the repository's permissions. This creates a dangerous escalation path where an attacker can potentially access sensitive data, modify code repositories, and manipulate automated processes that may have broader system implications. The GITHUB_TOKEN, which normally operates with specific scopes and permissions, becomes a vector for unauthorized access when the authorization check fails during workflow execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code repository compromise, as it affects the entire automated workflow ecosystem that organizations rely on for continuous integration and deployment processes. When an attacker can execute arbitrary workflows with elevated permissions, they gain access to potentially sensitive environment variables, secrets, and access tokens that may be stored within the repository or accessible through the workflow context. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend heavily on GitHub Actions for their development pipelines, as the compromised workflows could potentially be used to exfiltrate data, deploy malicious code, or disrupt development processes. The risk is compounded because the vulnerability requires only access to the enterprise server itself, meaning that attackers who have already compromised server-level access can escalate their privileges to gain repository-level control without additional authentication requirements.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include upgrading to patched versions 3.9.10, 3.10.7, and 3.11.5, while also conducting thorough security assessments of their current deployment configurations. The remediation process should involve reviewing all active workflows, examining repository permissions, and implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized branch creation and workflow execution events. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of server-level compromises. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface and limit the impact of potential breaches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage system-level access to gain elevated permissions within applications and services, making it crucial for organizations to maintain robust access control mechanisms and continuous monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to such incidents effectively.