Repojacking: Thousands of Go Module Repositories Compromised on GitHub
Main Points
- New research shows over 15,000 Go module repositories on GitHub are susceptible to an attack known as repojacking.
- Over 9,000 of these repositories are vulnerable due to changes in GitHub usernames, as divulged by Jacob Baines, CTO at VulnCheck.
- There are more than 6,000 repositories threatened due to account deletion.
The Threat of “Repojacking”
Hold on to your code hats, folks! Over 15,000 Go module repositories on GitHub are under the threat of a repojacking attack. If reading this is making your “Go” more like “No”, we are here to break it down for you. The frightening reality is, with one fell swoop, an attacker could take control of these repositories due to weak spots in the security protocols.
Don’t Change That Username!
Ever had the sudden urge to change your username, but some little voice in your head whispered, “Now, hold on there?” Listen to that voice, it might be Jacob Baines, CTO at VulnCheck! In a report shared with The Hacker News, Baines unveiled that over 9,000 repositories are vulnerable to repojacking due to changes in GitHub usernames. So the next time you get a username revamp itch, remember – you’re not just changing a name, you might be opening the floodgates for a heck of an attack.
Account Deletion: Not as Harmless as It Seems
Anyone who once believed that deleting a GitHub account was as harmless as Hokey Pokey, think twice! More than 6,000 repositories were vulnerable to repojacking due to account deletion. So, before you hit that “delete” button on your account, better make sure it does not become a dinner invitation to those sneaky “repojackers”!
Summary
In a nutshell, over 15,000 Go module repositories on GitHub are under threat, with 9,000 being vulnerable due to GitHub username changes and over 6,000 due to account deletion. This vulnerability to repojacking should serve as a reminder to bolster account security and carefully reconsider account alterations. After all, as any tech-dad would remind you, “It’s all fun and games until someone loses a repository!”
Original Article: https://thehackernews.com/2023/12/15000-go-module-repositories-on-github.html