Tampering with RUNNER_TRACKING_ID in GitHub Actions Runners
This rule detects processes spawned by GitHub Actions runners where "RUNNER_TRACKING_ID" is overridden from its default "github_*" value. Such tampering has been associated with attempts to evade runner…
Description
This rule detects processes spawned by GitHub Actions runners where "RUNNER_TRACKING_ID" is overridden from its default "github_*" value. Such tampering has been associated with attempts to evade runner tracking/cleanup on self-hosted runners, including behavior observed in the Shai-Hulud 2.0 npm worm campaign.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
Sunturai publishes a detection's own text where the licence it arrived under has been reviewed and permits it, and Elastic License 2.0 has not. The query as its source wrote it, its canonical form and the hash that pins this revision are in the workspace record.
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 4 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| socket.dev/blog/shai-hulud-strikes-again-v2 | 7 |
| www.elastic.co/blog/shai-hulud-worm-npm-supply-chain-compromise | 12 |
| www.praetorian.com/blog/self-hosted-github-runners-are-backdoors/ | Only this detection cites it |
| www.wiz.io/blog/shai-hulud-2-0-ongoing-supply-chain-attack | 17from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- df0553c8-2296-45ef-b4dc-3b88c4c130a7
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic DefendDomain: EndpointNoise: LowOS: LinuxOS: macOSPerformance: NormalPlatform: LinuxPlatform: macOSProfile: RecommendedResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Event Correlation (EQL)Tactic: Defense EvasionTactic: ExecutionTactic: Initial AccessThreat: Supply ChainUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3