CVE-2023-27581
github-slug-action vulnerable to arbitrary code execution
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 8.8 High
- Published
- Mar 13, 2023
- Updated
- Feb 25, 2025
- Reserved
- Mar 4, 2023
Description
github-slug-action is a GitHub Action to expose slug value of GitHub environment variables inside of one's GitHub workflow. Starting in version 4.0.0` and prior to version 4.4.1, this action uses the `github.head_ref` parameter in an insecure way. This vulnerability can be triggered by any user on GitHub on any workflow using the action on pull requests. They just need to create a pull request with a branch name, which can contain the attack payload. This can be used to execute code on the GitHub runners and to exfiltrate any secrets one uses in the CI pipeline. A patched action is available in version 4.4.1. No workaround is available.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 8.8 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | GitHub_M |
Weaknesses
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
github-slug-actionrlespinasse |
|
References
- https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/security/advisories/GHSA-6q4m-7476-932w
- https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/commit/102b1a064a9b145e56556e22b18b19c624538d94
- https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/releases/tag/v4.4.1
- https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input/
Every record here comes from the CVE Program’s CVE List. © 1999–2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. The records are reproduced under the CVE Program terms of use.