Code injection in GitHub Enterprise Server leading to arbitrary environment variables in GitHub Actions
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
A code injection vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed setting arbitrary environment variables from a single environment variable value in GitHub Actions when using a Windows based runner. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need existing permission to control the value of environment variables for use with GitHub Actions. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.8.0 and was fixed in versions 3.4.15, 3.5.12, 3.6.8, 3.7.5. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Enterprise Server | 3.4.0 – 3.4.14; 3.5.0 – 3.5.11; 3.6.0 – 3.6.7; 3.7.0 – 3.7.4 | 3.8.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- Enterprise Server VendorGitHub Affected 3.4.0 – 3.4.14; 3.5.0 – 3.5.11; 3.6.0 – 3.6.7; 3.7.0 – 3.7.4 Fixed in 3.8.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.4.15; 3.5.0 to before 3.5.12; 3.6.0 to before 3.6.8; 3.7.0 to before 3.7.5 | Vulnerable | GitHub |
- cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.4.15; 3.5.0 to before 3.5.12; 3.6.0 to before 3.6.8; 3.7.0 to before 3.7.5 Vulnerable ·GitHub
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Enterprise Server (GitHub) Fixed in 3.8.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-22381
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-c8m8-vx8j-3wr3
References
Other 5
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.7.5
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.6.8
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.5.12
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.4.15
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes
More GitHub Enterprise Server vulnerabilities
- TI-2024-04632 An authentication bypass vulnerability was present in the GitHub Enterprise Server (GHES)… CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2024-00181 Unsafe Reflection in Github Enterprise Server leading to Command Injection CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-00466 Privilege Escalation by Code Injection in the Management Console in GitHub Enterprise Server CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-03340 Remote code execution via git push option injection in GitHub Enterprise Server CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2024-08804 Improper signature verification in GitHub Enterprise Server CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.5
- TI-2026-08177 Server-side request forgery in GitHub Enterprise Server CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.2
Sources
- CVE-2023-22381 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-22381 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-c8m8-vx8j-3wr3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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