Cybersecurity experts at Orca have uncovered a concerning new threat in the world of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). Malicious actors are now exploiting GitHub Actions, a popular CI/CD platform, through a technique known as typosquatting. This tactic could potentially lead unsuspecting developers to execute malicious code or compromise their entire software supply chain.
Understanding the GitHub Actions Typosquatting Threat
GitHub Actions allows developers to automate various software workflows directly within their GitHub repositories. However, this convenience comes with a potential security risk. Cybercriminals can create GitHub accounts using temporary email addresses and publish actions with names closely resembling popular, widely-used actions. If a developer accidentally misspells an action name in their workflow configuration, they may inadvertently execute malicious code.
As the Orca researchers explain, “If a developer makes a typo in their GitHub Action, and that action matches a typosquatter’s action, applications will run malicious code, and the developer won’t even know about it.” This vulnerability stems from the fact that GitHub Actions run within the context of a user’s repository, potentially allowing malicious actions to interfere with source code, steal secrets, or deliver malware.
The Scale and Impact of the Problem
The severity of this issue becomes apparent when considering its potential reach. Orca’s team has already identified 194 files on GitHub using “action/checkout” and “actons/checkout” instead of the correct “actions/checkout” (missing the letters ‘s’ and ‘i’). These projects are now at risk of executing unintended, potentially malicious actions.
What makes this form of typosquatting particularly attractive to cybercriminals is its low cost and high effectiveness. A successful attack could lead to a supply chain compromise, affecting multiple clients simultaneously. As the researchers note, “Imagine an action that steals sensitive information or modifies code, introducing subtle errors or backdoors that potentially affect all subsequent builds and deployments.”
Beyond Public Repositories
While the current analysis focuses on public repositories, the researchers warn that the impact on private repositories remains unknown. The same typos in private environments could lead to even more severe security breaches, amplifying the potential damage of this attack vector.
Protecting Your CI/CD Pipeline from Typosquatting
To mitigate the risks associated with GitHub Actions typosquatting, developers and organizations should implement the following best practices:
- Carefully review and double-check all GitHub Actions configurations for typos
- Use actions only from trusted sources
- Regularly audit CI/CD workflows for potential errors or suspicious activities
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for GitHub Actions
- Consider using automated tools to scan for potential typosquatting vulnerabilities
As the software development landscape continues to evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. The discovery of GitHub Actions typosquatting serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in maintaining the security of CI/CD pipelines. By understanding this threat and implementing robust security measures, organizations can better protect their software supply chains and maintain the integrity of their development processes.
