CVE-2024-1908 in GitHub
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2024
An Improper Privilege Management vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed an attacker to use the Enterprise Actions GitHub Connect download token to fetch private repository data. An attacker would require an account on the server instance with non-default settings for GitHub Connect. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.12 and was fixed in versions 3.8.16, 3.9.11, 3.10.8, and 3.11.6. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-1908 represents a critical improper privilege management flaw within GitHub Enterprise Server that undermines the security boundaries protecting private repository data. This weakness specifically targets the Enterprise Actions GitHub Connect functionality, creating an unauthorized access pathway that allows attackers to bypass normal permission controls and retrieve sensitive information from private repositories. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated exploitation vector that leverages the download token mechanism, which is typically intended for legitimate operational purposes but can be misused when combined with specific non-default configuration settings. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in access control implementation where the system fails to properly validate user privileges before granting data access permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation within the GitHub Connect integration process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first establishing an account on the affected GitHub Enterprise Server instance with specific non-default configurations that enable the problematic behavior. The download token mechanism, designed for authorized artifact retrieval during CI/CD operations, becomes a vector for unauthorized data exfiltration when the system fails to properly enforce access controls based on user roles and repository permissions. This issue falls under the CWE-276 category of improper privilege management, where the system grants privileges beyond what is necessary for the intended operation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a combination of system-level access and specific configuration knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access might be compromised.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1908 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security model that governs access to private repositories. Organizations using GitHub Enterprise Server versions prior to 3.12 face significant risk of intellectual property theft, competitive intelligence compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive source code or configuration data is accessed. The vulnerability affects all versions through 3.11.5, creating a substantial window of exposure for enterprises that may not have implemented timely updates. The fact that this vulnerability was reported through the GitHub Bug Bounty program indicates that security researchers identified it as a serious threat to the platform's integrity, highlighting the potential for widespread exploitation across organizations that rely on GitHub Enterprise for their development workflows and code repositories.
Organizations must implement immediate remediation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with updating their GitHub Enterprise Server instances to the patched versions 3.8.16, 3.9.11, 3.10.8, and 3.11.6. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their GitHub Connect configurations to identify and disable any non-default settings that might contribute to the vulnerability's exploitation. The mitigation approach should include implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual patterns in download token usage that could indicate unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as network segmentation, enhanced logging, and continuous monitoring of repository access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security configurations and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate privilege management weaknesses that could compromise sensitive data assets.