GitHub Repository Compromised: Copilot Attack Exploits Issue Vulnerability

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RoguePilot: A Supply Chain Attack on GitHub Codespaces

A recently discovered vulnerability in GitHub Codespaces could have been exploited by attackers to take control of repositories by injecting malicious instructions into GitHub issues. This supply chain attack, dubbed RoguePilot, leverages several features of Codespaces and GitHub’s AI-powered assistant, Copilot, to exfiltrate sensitive data.

What is Codespaces?

Codespaces, a cloud-based development environment powered by Visual Studio Code, integrates with Copilot to provide AI-assisted suggestions. When launched from a repository, pull request, commit, or issue, Codespaces provides a workspace for developers to collaborate.

The RoguePilot Attack

The attack exploits several features of Codespaces, including its support for fetching JSON schemas from the web, which is enabled by default. An attacker can append malicious data to the schema URL, allowing them to exfiltrate sensitive information. Additionally, GitHub’s preservation of symbolic links in repositories can be exploited to access or exfiltrate sensitive data.

In a RoguePilot attack, a threat actor injects a malicious prompt into an issue, instructing Copilot to perform a series of actions to exfiltrate the GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable. This token provides read and write access to the repository in use. The attacker can then use the token to access sensitive data or take control of the repository.

The Discovery and Patch

The vulnerability was discovered by Orca Security, which notified GitHub. The company has since patched the vulnerability. The RoguePilot attack highlights the risks associated with AI-powered development tools and the need for developers to closely monitor their use.

The Attack Chain

The attack chain involves several steps, including the injection of malicious Copilot instructions into an issue, the use of symbolic links to access sensitive data, and the exfiltration of the GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable. The attack does not require approval from the developer, making it a significant threat to repository security.

Conclusion

The discovery of the RoguePilot vulnerability highlights the importance of securing AI-powered development tools and the need for developers to be aware of the risks associated with their use. As the use of AI-powered tools becomes more widespread, it is essential to ensure that they are properly secured to prevent similar attacks in the future.