GitHub Enterprise Server lets writers replace default branches
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-862.
Summary
GitHub Enterprise Server releases in the 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21 and 3.22 series are affected. A missing authorization check (CWE-862) lets a repository collaborator with write access delete the current default branch through the GraphQL API, so an attacker-controlled branch becomes the default. In repositories that require pull request review but do not restrict branch deletion, this bypasses the review requirement and makes fresh clones and default branch API requests use attacker-controlled content.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
Description from the CNA
A missing authorization vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed a repository collaborator with write access to delete the current default branch through the GraphQL API and cause an attacker-controlled branch to become the new default. In repositories that required pull-request review but did not restrict branch deletion, this bypassed the review requirement and caused fresh clones and default-branch API requests to use attacker-controlled content. This vulnerability affected supported GitHub Enterprise Server releases in the 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, and 3.22 series and was fixed in versions 3.18.16, 3.19.13, 3.20.9, 3.21.7, and 3.22.2. 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 | 3.18.0 and later; 3.19.0 and later; 3.20.0 and later; 3.21.0 and later; 3.22.0 and later | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Enterprise Server VendorGitHub Affected 3.18.0 and later; 3.19.0 and later; 3.20.0 and later; 3.21.0 and later; 3.22.0 and later Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.18.0 to before 3.18.16; 3.19.0 to before 3.19.13; 3.20.0 to before 3.20.9; 3.21.0 to before 3.21.7; 3.22.0 to before 3.22.2 | Vulnerable | GitHub |
- cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.18.0 to before 3.18.16; 3.19.0 to before 3.19.13; 3.20.0 to before 3.20.9; 3.21.0 to before 3.21.7; 3.22.0 to before 3.22.2 Vulnerable ·GitHub
Remediation
Upgrade GitHub Enterprise Server to 3.18.16, 3.19.13, 3.20.9, 3.21.7 or 3.22.2, matching the release series in use.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
Timeline
- 2026-10-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-103620
- 2026-10-07 Alias added: GHSA-mj9w-xm4p-h2mp
- 2026-10-07 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-07 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-10-21 CVSS score added · NVD
References
Advisory 5
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.18.16
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.19.13
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.20.9
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.21.7
- https://docs.github.com/en/[email protected]/admin/release-notes#3.22.2
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-2026-103620 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-103620 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mj9w-xm4p-h2mp · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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