CVE-2023-27581: Rlespinasse/github slug action Github-slug-action Vulnerable To Arbitrary Code Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2023-27581 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) github-slug-action vulnerable to arbitrary code vulnerability (CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')) affecting Rlespinasse/github slug action libraries in the GitHub Actions ecosystem. The issue involves github-slug-action vulnerable to arbitrary code execution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.4.1.
CVE-2023-27581 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 8.8
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2023-27581
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Rlespinasse/github slug action dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Upgrade rlespinasse/github-slug-action to 4.4.1Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for rlespinasse/github-slug-actionHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2023-27581, inspect your project dependencies for Rlespinasse/github slug action:
inspect dependencies for rlespinasse/github-slug-actionAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Rlespinasse/github slug action in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.4.1), your application is affected.
Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Rlespinasse/github slug action, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2023-27581 Affected Rlespinasse/github slug action Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
rlespinasse/github-slug-action
|
GitHub Actions |
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.4.1
|
4.4.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2023-27581?
Which Rlespinasse/github slug action versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2023-27581?
Is rlespinasse/github-slug-action affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-27581?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-27581?
How can I check GitHub Actions dependencies for CVE-2023-27581?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-6q4m-7476-932w",
"modified" : "2025-02-18T22:42:28Z",
"published" : "2023-03-13T20:43:33Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-27581" ],
"summary" : "github-slug-action vulnerable to arbitrary code execution",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nThis action uses the `github.head_ref` parameter in an insecure way. \n\nThis 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. (Note that first-time PR requests will not be run - but the attacker can submit a valid PR before submitting an invalid PR). This can be used to execute code on the GitHub runners (potentially use it for crypto-mining, and waste your resources) and to exfiltrate any secrets you use in the CI pipeline.\n\n### Patches\n\n> Pass the variable as an environment variable and then use the environment variable instead of substituting it directly.\n\nPatched action is available on tag **v4**, tag **v4.4.1**, and any tag beyond.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nNo workaround is available if impacted, please upgrade the version\n\n> ℹ️ **v3** and **v4** are compatibles.\n\n### References\n\n[Here](https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input/) is a set of blog posts by Github's security team explaining this issue.\n\n### Thanks\n\nThanks to the team of researchers from Purdue University, who are working on finding vulnerabilities in CI/CD configurations of open-source software. Their tool detected this security vulnerability.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "GitHub Actions",
"name" : "rlespinasse/github-slug-action"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.4.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/security/advisories/GHSA-6q4m-7476-932w"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27581"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/commit/102b1a064a9b145e56556e22b18b19c624538d94"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/rlespinasse/github-slug-action/releases/tag/v4.4.1"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-77" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2023-03-13T20:43:33Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2023-03-13T21:15:00Z"
}
}