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GitHub personal access token used to download high number of repositories

ID:github_repos_exfiltration_with_pat
Data type:GitHub
Severity:
Low
-
Medium
MITRE ATT&CK:TA0009:T1213.003

Description

AlphaSOC detected an unusually high number of downloads of non-public GitHub repositories. This activity may suggest potential source code exfiltration or unauthorized collection of sensitive development assets.

Impact

Threat actors can obtain source code, secrets, configuration files, and intellectual property through mass repository downloads. Exposed data may reveal security vulnerabilities, development practices, and details about internal infrastructure. Adversaries can then potentially use this information to develop targeted exploits or gain unauthorized access to systems.

Severity

SeverityCondition
Low
High number of non-public GitHub repositories downloaded
Medium
GitHub Personal Access Token used to download high number of repositories

Investigation and Remediation

Review GitHub audit logs to identify the user account and IP address that accessed the repositories. Compare the activity against normal development patterns and authorized backup or migration activities. Reset any compromised credentials and revoke compromised Personal Access Tokens (PATs). If not already implemented, enable multi-factor authentication for affected accounts. Review repository access controls and implement repository scanning for exposed secrets.