CVE-2023-49291 (GCVE-0-2023-49291)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2023-12-04 23:21 – Updated: 2024-08-02 21:53
VLAI
EPSS
VEX
Title
Improper Sanitization of Branch Name Leads to Arbitrary Code Injection
Summary
tj-actions/branch-names is a Github action to retrieve branch or tag names with support for all events. The `tj-actions/branch-names` GitHub Actions improperly references the `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` and `github.head_ref` context variables within a GitHub Actions `run` step. The head ref variable is the branch name and can be used to execute arbitrary code using a specially crafted branch name. As a result an attacker can use this vulnerability to steal secrets from or abuse `GITHUB_TOKEN` permissions. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 7.0.7. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
Severity
9.3 (Critical)
CWE
- CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation
Assigner
References
5 references
| URL | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/securi… | x_refsource_CONFIRM |
| https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit… | x_refsource_MISC |
| https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit… | x_refsource_MISC |
| https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit… | x_refsource_MISC |
| https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-ac… | x_refsource_MISC |
Impacted products
1 product
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tj-actions | branch-names |
Affected:
< 7.0.7
|
guessed |
{
"containers": {
"adp": [
{
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2024-08-02T21:53:44.957Z",
"orgId": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"shortName": "CVE"
},
"references": [
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_CONFIRM",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"name": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
}
],
"title": "CVE Program Container"
}
],
"cna": {
"affected": [
{
"product": "branch-names",
"vendor": "tj-actions",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "\u003c 7.0.7"
}
]
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "tj-actions/branch-names is a Github action to retrieve branch or tag names with support for all events. The `tj-actions/branch-names` GitHub Actions improperly references the `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` and `github.head_ref` context variables within a GitHub Actions `run` step. The head ref variable is the branch name and can be used to execute arbitrary code using a specially crafted branch name. As a result an attacker can use this vulnerability to steal secrets from or abuse `GITHUB_TOKEN` permissions. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 7.0.7. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability."
}
],
"metrics": [
{
"cvssV3_1": {
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityImpact": "NONE",
"baseScore": 9.3,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
"integrityImpact": "HIGH",
"privilegesRequired": "NONE",
"scope": "CHANGED",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N",
"version": "3.1"
}
}
],
"problemTypes": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"cweId": "CWE-20",
"description": "CWE-20: Improper Input Validation",
"lang": "en",
"type": "CWE"
}
]
}
],
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2023-12-04T23:21:33.367Z",
"orgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
"shortName": "GitHub_M"
},
"references": [
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_CONFIRM"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"name": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"name": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input",
"tags": [
"x_refsource_MISC"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
}
],
"source": {
"advisory": "GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf",
"discovery": "UNKNOWN"
},
"title": "Improper Sanitization of Branch Name Leads to Arbitrary Code Injection"
}
},
"cveMetadata": {
"assignerOrgId": "a0819718-46f1-4df5-94e2-005712e83aaa",
"assignerShortName": "GitHub_M",
"cveId": "CVE-2023-49291",
"datePublished": "2023-12-04T23:21:33.367Z",
"dateReserved": "2023-11-24T16:45:24.313Z",
"dateUpdated": "2024-08-02T21:53:44.957Z",
"state": "PUBLISHED"
},
"dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
"dataVersion": "5.1",
"vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
"epss": {
"cve": "CVE-2023-49291",
"date": "2026-09-23",
"epss": "0.01448",
"percentile": "0.72206"
},
"fkie_nvd": {
"configurations": [
{
"nodes": [
{
"cpeMatch": [
{
"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:branch-names:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"matchCriteriaId": "4AB0A58B-E056-49E3-9CD4-063AF78D1ECB",
"versionEndExcluding": "7.0.0",
"vulnerable": true
},
{
"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:branch-names:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"matchCriteriaId": "04A7066A-CDAB-4C39-AD1F-87ADAF23495A",
"versionEndExcluding": "7.0.7",
"versionStartIncluding": "7.0.1",
"vulnerable": true
}
],
"negate": false,
"operator": "OR"
}
]
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "tj-actions/branch-names is a Github action to retrieve branch or tag names with support for all events. The `tj-actions/branch-names` GitHub Actions improperly references the `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` and `github.head_ref` context variables within a GitHub Actions `run` step. The head ref variable is the branch name and can be used to execute arbitrary code using a specially crafted branch name. As a result an attacker can use this vulnerability to steal secrets from or abuse `GITHUB_TOKEN` permissions. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 7.0.7. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability."
},
{
"lang": "es",
"value": "tj-actions/branch-names es una acci\u00f3n de Github para recuperar nombres de ramas o etiquetas con soporte para todos los eventos. Las GitHub Actions `tj-actions/branch-names` hacen referencia incorrectamente a las variables de contexto `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` y `github.head_ref` dentro de un paso de `ejecuci\u00f3n` de GitHub Actions. La variable head ref es el nombre de la rama y se puede usar para ejecutar c\u00f3digo arbitrario usando un nombre de rama especialmente manipulado. Como resultado, un atacante puede utilizar esta vulnerabilidad para robar secretos o abusar de los permisos \"GITHUB_TOKEN\". Esta vulnerabilidad se ha solucionado en la versi\u00f3n 7.0.7. Se recomienda a los usuarios que actualicen. No se conocen workarounds para esta vulnerabilidad."
}
],
"id": "CVE-2023-49291",
"lastModified": "2024-11-21T08:33:12.027",
"metrics": {
"cvssMetricV31": [
{
"cvssData": {
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityImpact": "NONE",
"baseScore": 9.3,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
"integrityImpact": "HIGH",
"privilegesRequired": "NONE",
"scope": "CHANGED",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N",
"version": "3.1"
},
"exploitabilityScore": 3.9,
"impactScore": 4.7,
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"type": "Secondary"
},
{
"cvssData": {
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
"baseScore": 9.8,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
"integrityImpact": "HIGH",
"privilegesRequired": "NONE",
"scope": "UNCHANGED",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"version": "3.1"
},
"exploitabilityScore": 3.9,
"impactScore": 5.9,
"source": "nvd@nist.gov",
"type": "Primary"
}
]
},
"published": "2023-12-05T00:15:09.403",
"references": [
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Vendor Advisory"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Third Party Advisory"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Vendor Advisory"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Third Party Advisory"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
}
],
"sourceIdentifier": "security-advisories@github.com",
"vulnStatus": "Modified",
"weaknesses": [
{
"description": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "CWE-20"
}
],
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"type": "Secondary"
},
{
"description": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "NVD-CWE-noinfo"
}
],
"source": "nvd@nist.gov",
"type": "Primary"
}
]
},
"nvd": {
"cve": {
"affected": [
{
"affectedData": [
{
"product": "branch-names",
"vendor": "tj-actions",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "\u003c 7.0.7"
}
]
}
],
"source": "security-advisories@github.com"
}
],
"configurations": [
{
"nodes": [
{
"cpeMatch": [
{
"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:branch-names:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"matchCriteriaId": "4AB0A58B-E056-49E3-9CD4-063AF78D1ECB",
"versionEndExcluding": "7.0.0",
"vulnerable": true
},
{
"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:branch-names:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"matchCriteriaId": "04A7066A-CDAB-4C39-AD1F-87ADAF23495A",
"versionEndExcluding": "7.0.7",
"versionStartIncluding": "7.0.1",
"vulnerable": true
}
],
"negate": false,
"operator": "OR"
}
]
}
],
"cveTags": [],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "tj-actions/branch-names is a Github action to retrieve branch or tag names with support for all events. The `tj-actions/branch-names` GitHub Actions improperly references the `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` and `github.head_ref` context variables within a GitHub Actions `run` step. The head ref variable is the branch name and can be used to execute arbitrary code using a specially crafted branch name. As a result an attacker can use this vulnerability to steal secrets from or abuse `GITHUB_TOKEN` permissions. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 7.0.7. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability."
},
{
"lang": "es",
"value": "tj-actions/branch-names es una acci\u00f3n de Github para recuperar nombres de ramas o etiquetas con soporte para todos los eventos. Las GitHub Actions `tj-actions/branch-names` hacen referencia incorrectamente a las variables de contexto `github.event.pull_request.head.ref` y `github.head_ref` dentro de un paso de `ejecuci\u00f3n` de GitHub Actions. La variable head ref es el nombre de la rama y se puede usar para ejecutar c\u00f3digo arbitrario usando un nombre de rama especialmente manipulado. Como resultado, un atacante puede utilizar esta vulnerabilidad para robar secretos o abusar de los permisos \"GITHUB_TOKEN\". Esta vulnerabilidad se ha solucionado en la versi\u00f3n 7.0.7. Se recomienda a los usuarios que actualicen. No se conocen workarounds para esta vulnerabilidad."
}
],
"id": "CVE-2023-49291",
"lastModified": "2026-06-17T06:35:46.920",
"metrics": {
"cvssMetricV31": [
{
"cvssData": {
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityImpact": "NONE",
"baseScore": 9.3,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
"integrityImpact": "HIGH",
"privilegesRequired": "NONE",
"scope": "CHANGED",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N",
"version": "3.1"
},
"exploitabilityScore": 3.9,
"impactScore": 4.7,
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"type": "Secondary"
},
{
"cvssData": {
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
"baseScore": 9.8,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
"integrityImpact": "HIGH",
"privilegesRequired": "NONE",
"scope": "UNCHANGED",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"version": "3.1"
},
"exploitabilityScore": 3.9,
"impactScore": 5.9,
"source": "nvd@nist.gov",
"type": "Primary"
}
]
},
"published": "2023-12-05T00:15:09.403",
"references": [
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Vendor Advisory"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Third Party Advisory"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Patch"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Vendor Advisory"
],
"url": "https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf"
},
{
"source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"tags": [
"Exploit",
"Third Party Advisory"
],
"url": "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
}
],
"sourceIdentifier": "security-advisories@github.com",
"vulnStatus": "Modified",
"weaknesses": [
{
"description": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "CWE-20"
}
],
"source": "security-advisories@github.com",
"type": "Secondary"
},
{
"description": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "NVD-CWE-noinfo"
}
],
"source": "nvd@nist.gov",
"type": "Primary"
}
]
}
},
"redhat_vex": {
"current_release_date": "2025-05-28T22:51:25+00:00",
"cve": "CVE-2023-49291",
"id": "CVE-2023-49291",
"initial_release_date": "2023-01-01T00:00:00+00:00",
"product_status:known_not_affected": "1",
"source": "Red Hat CSAF VEX",
"status": "final",
"title": "Improper Sanitization of Branch Name Leads to Arbitrary Code Injection",
"url": "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2023/cve-2023-49291.json",
"version": "3"
}
}
}
Loading…
Loading…
Experimental. This forecast is provided for visualization only and may change without notice. Do not use it for operational decisions.
Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.
Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date | Other |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
- Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
- Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Loading…
Loading…
The MITRE ATT&CK techniques below are AI-generated suggestions, inferred from the description of the
vulnerability by the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-classification-roberta-base
model, served locally by ML-Gateway.
They have not been verified by an analyst and are provided for guidance only.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
Loading…
Related by attack behaviour
Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.
Loading…