GitHub Actions Security: 5 Best Practices You Must Follow Right Now

GitHub Actions is a game-changing CI/CD platform that empowers developers to orchestrate DevOps tasks effortlessly. It lets them streamline their CI/CD processes and automate and customize workflows to help them save time and effort. However, using GitHub Actions also comes with a huge risk of attacks that can lead to software supply chain attacks and production system compromises.  

According to a report by CSO Online , there was a 633% increase in supply chain attacks from 2021 to 2022 which accounts to 88,000+ breaches. 

To save your organization from these threats, here are GitHub Actions Security best practices (and why you need them) to help you out. 

What Happens If You Do Not Secure Your GitHub Actions Workflows 

Let’s first understand why it is so important to secure your GitHub Actions workflows. The workflows used for continuous deployments are equipped with access privileges. It has access to the source code, build artifacts and cloud deployments. If the CI/CD credentials end up in the wrong hands, they could manipulate your repository content, interfere with releases, or compromise the integrity of your software packages. The result is a devastating supply chain attack, severe operational disruptions, and substantial financial losses.  

 GitHub Actions Security Best Practices  

1. Limit GITHUB_TOKEN Permissions: The GITHUB_TOKEN is a secret that gives access to important information on GitHub, so naturally, it must be kept secure. Before each workflow run, GitHub generates a unique credential or a GITHUB_TOKEN, which facilitates the execution of tasks within the workflow. The token is made available to each job to authenticate to the GitHub API. To keep it secure, only give the least privileged access that is required to get the job done.  
2. Harden Your GitHub Actions Runners: Running a workflow requires several build tools and dependencies that are downloaded automatically. Chances are that these tools are infected, resulting in code tampering or gaining access to credentials and sensitive information. To avoid this, you can use StepSecurity Harden-Runner, which not only allows network calls to an authorized list of destinations but also detects source code tampering while the workflow runs. 
3. Use OIDC for Secure Cloud Access: One great way to access cloud resources without having to store long-term credentials on GitHub is by using OpenID Connect (OIDC). OIDC lets you authenticate and access cloud services safely without having to use a long-term key (or credentials). It is supported by most cloud providers like AWS, GCP and Azure. 
4. Pin Actions to a Full-length Commit SHA: GitHub Action tags can change over time without giving you the chance to review the changes and that makes it a security risk. Using these tags is like using a tool that can get updated without notifying you. Therefore, to keep this risk at bay, you must pin these Actions to a “full-length commit SHA” which will let you enforce your change management process.  
5. Keep GitHub Actions Updated: It is important to use the latest and the most secure version of GitHub Actions. For this, you can use a dependency update tool like Dependabot.   

Ready to Elevate Your GitHub Actions Security? 

With the ever-evolving CI/CD threat landscape, it is important you implement all the best practices and stay updated with evolving threats. One immediate way you can limit GITHUB_TOKEN permissions, pin actions to a full-length commit SHA and keep GitHub Actions updated is by visiting app.stepsecurity.io.  

For the rest, you can leverage Harden-Runner and stay ahead of these threats to secure your workflows.  

Know more about Harden Runner https://github.com/step-security/harden-runner or send me a message on LinkedIn for further details!