Embedded malicious code in tj-actions changed-files

1) Embedded malicious code (backdoor)

EUVDB-ID: #VU105790

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 7.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-30066

CWE-ID: CWE-506 - Embedded Malicious Code

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The vulnerability exists due to presence of embedded malicious functionality in the application code (aka backdoor). A remote attacker can discover secrets by reading actions logs.

Note, the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.

Mitigation

Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

changed-files: 1.0.0 - 46.0.1

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:changed-files:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:changed-files:1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:tj-actions:changed-files:1.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://github.com/chains-project/maven-lockfile/pull/1111
https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/issues/11127
https://github.com/github/docs/blob/962a1c8dccb8c0f66548b324e5b921b5e4fbc3d6/content/actions/security-for-github-actions/security-guides/security-hardening-for-github-actions.md?plain=1#L191-L193
https://github.com/modal-labs/modal-examples/issues/1100
https://github.com/rackerlabs/genestack/pull/903
https://github.com/tj-actions/changed-files/blob/45fb12d7a8bedb4da42342e52fe054c6c2c3fd73/README.md?plain=1#L20-L28
https://github.com/tj-actions/changed-files/issues/2463
https://github.com/tj-actions/changed-files/issues/2464
https://github.com/tj-actions/changed-files/issues/2477
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43367987
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43368870
https://semgrep.dev/blog/2025/popular-github-action-tj-actionschanged-files-is-compromised/
https://sysdig.com/blog/detecting-and-mitigating-the-tj-actions-changed-files-supply-chain-attack-cve-2025-30066/
https://web.archive.org/web/20250315060250/
https://github.com/tj-actions/changed-files/issues/2463
https://www.stepsecurity.io/blog/harden-runner-detection-tj-actions-changed-files-action-is-compromised
https://www.stream.security/post/github-action-supply-chain-attack-exposes-secrets-what-you-need-to-know-and-how-to-respond
https://www.sweet.security/blog/cve-2025-30066-tj-actions-supply-chain-attack
https://www.wiz.io/blog/github-action-tj-actions-changed-files-supply-chain-attack-cve-2025-30066

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.