An improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed signature spoofing for unauthorized internal users. Instances not utilizing SAML single sign-on or where the attacker is not already an existing user were not impacted. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.12.14, 3.13.10, 3.14.7, 3.15.2, and 3.16.0. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
With a CVSS score of 7.6, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. Organizations using GitHub Enterprise Server versions affected should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential data integrity issues.
Organizations that have not yet implemented the necessary updates face significant risks. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to exploit systems, leading to unauthorized access and manipulation of internal processes.
As of now, this vulnerability is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, but exploitation is possible given the presence of public proof of concept (PoC) code. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any related threats.
Given the high severity and potential impact, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
An improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed signature spoofing for unauthorized internal users. Instances not utilizing SAML single sign-on or where the attacker is not already an existing user were not impacted. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.12.14, 3.13.10, 3.14.7, 3.15.2, and 3.16.0.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-347, indicating improper verification of cryptographic signatures, which can lead to unauthorized actions by attackers.
The CVSS score of 7.6 indicates a high severity rating, with a primary attack vector over the network, and requires low privileges to exploit, making it particularly concerning for organizations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper verification of cryptographic signatures, which could allow an unauthorized user to spoof valid signatures. The attack vector is primarily network-based, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access to the system to exploit this vulnerability.
The attack complexity is classified as high, indicating that successful exploitation requires specific conditions to be met. However, the requirement for low privileges means that even a non-administrative user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, provided they have access to a vulnerable instance.
User interaction is not required for exploitation, increasing the risk. The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality and integrity, while the availability impact is low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant due to its potential to allow unauthorized access and manipulation of internal processes within organizations using GitHub Enterprise Server. The blast radius could include sensitive data and critical operations, leading to severe organizational impacts.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability, particularly those who have not implemented SAML single sign-on, as they are at higher risk. The urgency for remediation is high, given the potential for exploitation and the sensitive nature of the data often handled by these systems.
The CVSS score of 7.6 indicates a high severity, necessitating immediate attention for patching and remediation efforts. Organizations should also monitor for any signs of exploitation related to this vulnerability.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.12.14, 3.13.10, 3.14.7, 3.15.2, and 3.16.0 are affected. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are advised to upgrade GitHub Enterprise Server to the latest versions immediately. Specific versions to upgrade to include 3.12.14, 3.13.10, 3.14.7, 3.15.2, or 3.16.0.
In addition to upgrading, organizations should implement configuration hardening measures and consider network controls to restrict access to the GitHub Enterprise Server instances, thereby reducing potential attack surfaces.
Monitoring for unusual access patterns and reviewing logs for unauthorized activities will also help in identifying potential exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts, particularly from users who should not have access to sensitive internal resources. Behavioral anomalies, such as unusual access patterns or failed login attempts from uncommon locations, should be flagged for further investigation.
Network signatures or alerts should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts, especially those leveraging the signature spoofing vulnerability. This proactive approach can help mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-23369 highlights the importance of secure signature verification processes in software platforms. As organizations increasingly rely on digital signatures for secure communication and transactions, vulnerabilities like these can lead to severe consequences.
This vulnerability represents a trend towards the exploitation of cryptographic weaknesses in software systems. Security teams must remain vigilant and prioritize robust security measures, including regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs.
Strategically, organizations should consider implementing penetration testing and continuous security testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively. For further insights, organizations can explore our penetration testing services to enhance their security posture against evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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