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Fix shell injection vulnerability in GitHub Actions workflow#18

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semgrep-autofix/1773740944
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Fix shell injection vulnerability in GitHub Actions workflow#18
semgrep-code-studentsca023-rgb[bot] wants to merge 1 commit into
masterfrom
semgrep-autofix/1773740944

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Fix a command injection vulnerability in the ShiftLeft workflow by using an environment variable instead of direct interpolation of github.head_ref.

Changes

  • Added BRANCH_NAME environment variable to safely pass github.head_ref
  • Replaced direct ${{ github.head_ref }} interpolation with quoted "$BRANCH_NAME" in the run script

Why

Using ${{ github.head_ref }} directly in a run: step is vulnerable to command injection. An attacker could create a branch with a malicious name (e.g., containing shell metacharacters or commands) that would be executed by the runner. By passing the value through an env: block and using double-quoted environment variable expansion, the value is treated as data rather than code, preventing injection attacks.

Semgrep Finding Details

Using variable interpolation ${{...}} with github context data in a run: step could allow an attacker to inject their own code into the runner. This would allow them to steal secrets and code. github context data can have arbitrary user input and should be treated as untrusted. Instead, use an intermediate environment variable with env: to store the data and use the environment variable in the run: script. Be sure to use double-quotes the environment variable, like this: "$ENVVAR".

@267212124 requested Semgrep Assistant generate this pull request to fix a finding from the detection rule yaml.github-actions.security.run-shell-injection.run-shell-injection.


⚠️ Review carefully before merging. This PR was generated by AI and may cause breaking changes or introduce new vulnerabilities.

Fix a command injection vulnerability in the ShiftLeft workflow by using an environment variable instead of direct interpolation of `github.head_ref`.

## Changes
- Added `BRANCH_NAME` environment variable to safely pass `github.head_ref`
- Replaced direct `${{ github.head_ref }}` interpolation with quoted `"$BRANCH_NAME"` in the run script

## Why
Using `${{ github.head_ref }}` directly in a `run:` step is vulnerable to command injection. An attacker could create a branch with a malicious name (e.g., containing shell metacharacters or commands) that would be executed by the runner. By passing the value through an `env:` block and using double-quoted environment variable expansion, the value is treated as data rather than code, preventing injection attacks.

## Semgrep Finding Details
Using variable interpolation `${{...}}` with `github` context data in a `run:` step could allow an attacker to inject their own code into the runner. This would allow them to steal secrets and code. `github` context data can have arbitrary user input and should be treated as untrusted. Instead, use an intermediate environment variable with `env:` to store the data and use the environment variable in the `run:` script. Be sure to use double-quotes the environment variable, like this: "$ENVVAR".

@267212124 requested Semgrep Assistant generate this pull request to fix [a finding](https://semgrep.dev/orgs/studentsca023_personal_org/findings/722169002) from the detection rule [yaml.github-actions.security.run-shell-injection.run-shell-injection](https://semgrep.dev/r/yaml.github-actions.security.run-shell-injection.run-shell-injection).
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