Environment Variable Injection in GitHub Actions
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · Low · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-77.
Summary
In the `@actions/core` npm module before version 1.2.6,`addPath` and `exportVariable` functions communicate with the Actions Runner over stdout by generating a string in a specific format. Workflows that log untrusted data to stdout may invoke these commands, resulting in the path or environment variables being modified without the intention of the workflow or action author. The runner will release an update that disables the `set-env` and `add-path` workflow commands in the near future. For now, users should upgrade to `@actions/core v1.2.6` or later, and replace any instance of the `set-env` or `add-path` commands in their workflows with the new Environment File Syntax. Workflows and actions using the old commands or older versions of the toolkit will start to warn, then error out during workflow execution.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| actions | toolkit | before 1.2.6 | 1.2.6 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | @actions/core (npm) | before 1.2.6 | 1.2.6 | Patch available | GHSA-mfwh-5m23-j46w |
- toolkit Vendoractions Affected before 1.2.6 Fixed in 1.2.6 Patch available CNA
- @actions/core (npm) Vendor— Affected before 1.2.6 Fixed in 1.2.6 Patch available GHSA-mfwh-5m23-j46w
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:toolkit_project:toolkit:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* | before 1.2.6 | Vulnerable | Toolkit Project |
- cpe:2.3:a:toolkit_project:toolkit:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions before 1.2.6 Vulnerable ·Toolkit Project
Remediation
- Fix · CNA toolkit (actions) Fixed in 1.2.6
- Fix · GHSA-mfwh-5m23-j46w @actions/core (npm) Fixed in 1.2.6 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-15228
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mfwh-5m23-j46w
References
More actions vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-05316 actions toolkit glob internal-pattern.ts globEscape redos CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 5.3
Sources
- CVE-2020-15228 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-15228 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mfwh-5m23-j46w · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences