Code injection in GitHub Enterprise Server
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · High · Low
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the pre-receive hook functionality, potentially leading to privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability involves using dynamically allocated ports that become temporarily available, such as during a hot patch upgrade. This means the vulnerability is only exploitable during specific operational conditions, which limits the attack window. Exploitation required either site administrator permissions to enable and configure pre-receive hooks or a user with permissions to modify repositories containing pre-receive hooks where this functionality was already enabled. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.18 and was fixed in versions 3.17.1, 3.16.4, 3.15.8, 3.14.13, 3.13.16. 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 | 3.13.0 – 3.13.15; 3.14.0 – 3.14.12; 3.15.0 – 3.15.7; 3.16.0 – 3.16.3; 13.17.0 to before 13.17.1 | 13.17.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Enterprise Server VendorGitHub Affected 3.13.0 – 3.13.15; 3.14.0 – 3.14.12; 3.15.0 – 3.15.7; 3.16.0 – 3.16.3; 13.17.0 to before 13.17.1 Fixed in 13.17.1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.13.16; 3.14.0 to before 3.14.13; 3.15.0 to before 3.15.8; 3.16.0 to before 3.16.4; 3.17.0 to before 3.17.1 | Vulnerable | GitHub |
- cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.13.16; 3.14.0 to before 3.14.13; 3.15.0 to before 3.15.8; 3.16.0 to before 3.16.4; 3.17.0 to before 3.17.1 Vulnerable ·GitHub
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Enterprise Server (GitHub) Fixed in 13.17.1
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-3509
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-g3x6-r9w9-mcxx
References
Other 5
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.13.16
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.14.13
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.15.8
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.16.4
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.17.1
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-2025-3509 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-3509 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-g3x6-r9w9-mcxx · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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