HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2023-49291
CRITICAL

CVE-2023-49291

CWE-20Published: December 5, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

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.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

The tj-actions/branch-names GitHub Action improperly references context variables, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code using a crafted branch name. This critical vulnerability allows for potential secret theft or abuse of token permissions.

There is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it is not in the KEV catalog. The flaw is remotely exploitable with low complexity.

Recommended Action

Upgrade to version 7.0.7 or later to address the vulnerability, as no workarounds are available.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-49291 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

tj-actions1 product(s)
branch-names
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337
PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815
PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060
PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337
PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815
PATCHhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf
ADVISORYhttps://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rf
ADVISORYhttps://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-input

All References (10)

→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rfExploit · Vendor Advisory
→
https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-inputExploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/4923d1ca41f928c24f1c1b3af9daaadfb71e6337Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/6c999acf206f5561e19f46301bb310e9e70d8815Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/commit/726fe9ba5e9da4fcc716223b7994ffd0358af060Patch
→
https://github.com/tj-actions/branch-names/security/advisories/GHSA-8v8w-v8xg-79rfExploit · Vendor Advisory
→
https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-untrusted-inputExploit · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2023-49291
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-20
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedDec 5, 2023

Related CVEs (CWE-20)

CVE-2024-22476
10.0
CVE-2026-47928
10.0
CVE-2021-26622
10.0
CVE-2009-1300
10.0
CVE-2011-0922
10.0
CVE-2002-2236
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2023-49291 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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