CVE-2022-39321: GitHub Actions Runner is the application that runs a job from a GitHub Actions workflow. The actions runner invokes the docker cli directly in order t...

Description

GitHub Actions Runner is the application that runs a job from a GitHub Actions workflow. The actions runner invokes the docker cli directly in order to run job containers, service containers, or container actions. A bug in the logic for how the environment is encoded into these docker commands was discovered in versions prior to 2.296.2, 2.293.1, 2.289.4, 2.285.2, and 2.283.4 that allows an input to escape the environment variable and modify that docker command invocation directly. Jobs that use container actions, job containers, or service containers alongside untrusted user inputs in environment variables may be vulnerable. The Actions Runner has been patched, both on `github.com` and hotfixes for GHES and GHAE customers in versions 2.296.2, 2.293.1, 2.289.4, 2.285.2, and 2.283.4. GHES and GHAE customers may want to patch their instance in order to have their runners automatically upgrade to these new runner versions. As a workaround, users may consider removing any container actions, job containers, or service containers from their jobs until they are able to upgrade their runner versions.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.47%

70.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Github	Runner	< 2.283.4
Github	Runner	>= 2.284.0, < 2.285.2
Github	Runner	>= 2.286.0, < 2.289.4
Github	Runner	>= 2.290.0, < 2.293.1
Github	Runner	>= 2.294.0, < 2.296.2

References

https://github.com/actions/runner/pull/2107Patch, Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/actions/runner/pull/2108Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/actions/runner/security/advisories/GHSA-2c6m-6gqh-6qg3Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/actions/runner/pull/2107Patch, Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/actions/runner/pull/2108Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/actions/runner/security/advisories/GHSA-2c6m-6gqh-6qg3Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 25, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-39321?

GitHub Actions Runner is the application that runs a job from a GitHub Actions workflow. The actions runner invokes the docker cli directly in order to run job containers, service containers, or container actions. A bug in the logic for how the environment is encoded into these docker commands was discovered in versions prior to 2.296.2, 2.293.1, 2.289.4, 2.285.2, and 2.283.4 that allows an input to escape the environment variable and modify that docker command invocation directly. Jobs that use container actions, job containers, or service containers alongside untrusted user inputs in environment variables may be vulnerable. The Actions Runner has been patched, both on `github.com` and hotfixes for GHES and GHAE customers in versions 2.296.2, 2.293.1, 2.289.4, 2.285.2, and 2.283.4. GHES and GHAE customers may want to patch their instance in order to have their runners automatically upgrade to these new runner versions. As a workaround, users may consider removing any container actions, job containers, or service containers from their jobs until they are able to upgrade their runner versions.

How severe is CVE-2022-39321?

CVE-2022-39321 has a CVSS score of 9.9/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.47% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-39321?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.