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GitHub Actions Workflow Modification Blocked

Detects when a GitHub Actions workflow attempts to create or modify workflow files in a protected branch but is blocked due to insufficient permissions. This behavior is indicative of a supply chain attack where a…

Description

Detects when a GitHub Actions workflow attempts to create or modify workflow files in a protected branch but is blocked due to insufficient permissions. This behavior is indicative of a supply chain attack where a malicious package or compromised CI/CD pipeline attempts to inject persistent backdoor workflows into a repository.

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 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Known benign triggers

  • Legitimate CI/CD automation that requires workflow file modifications may trigger this alert if not properly configured with the necessary permissions. Review the workflow configuration and ensure the GITHUB_TOKEN or PAT has the required 'workflows' permission if the modification is intentional.

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