Incorrect Authorization vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed unauthorized merging of pull requests
An incorrect authorization vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed an attacker to merge their own pull request into a repository without having push access by exploiting an authorization bypass in the enable_auto_merge mutation for pull requests. This issue only affected repositories that allow forking as the attack relies on opening a pull request from an attacker-controlled fork into the target repository. Exploitation was only possible in specific scenarios. It required a clean pull request status and only applied to branches without branch protection rules enabled. This vulnerability affected GitHub Enterprise Server versions prior to 3.19.2, 3.18.5, and 3.17.11, and was fixed in versions 3.19.2, 3.18.5, and 3.17.11. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
- Published
- Feb 18, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 17, 2026
- EPSS
- 0.3% · 24th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-863
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Report tools
Action score
28
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 28 / 40 · 7.1 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 0.3%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- partial
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- —
- CNA · GitHub_P
- 7.1
- NVD has not scored this yet; the score shown is the CNA’s.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:L/SI:H/SA:N
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Affected systems
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| github | enterprise server | cpe:2.3:a:github:enterprise_server |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- github enterprise serverbefore 3.17.11
- github enterprise server3.18.0 and later · before 3.18.5
- github enterprise server3.19.0 and later · before 3.19.2
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (GitHub_P). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
GitHub Enterprise Server
- 3.17.0 and later · before 3.17.11affected · semverfixed in 3.17.11
- 3.18.0 and later · before 3.18.5affected · semverfixed in 3.18.5
- 3.19.0 and later · before 3.19.2affected · semverfixed in 3.19.2
Same product
github: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2024-0200Unsafe Reflection in Github Enterprise Server leading to Command Injection61This week
- CVE-2024-0507Privilege Escalation by Code Injection in the Management Console in GitHub Enterprise Server55Plan
- CVE-2024-9487An Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed SAML SSO authentication to be bypassed46Plan
- CVE-2024-4985An authentication bypass vulnerability was present in the GitHub Enterprise Server (GHES) when utilizing SAML single sign-on authentication 41Plan
- CVE-2022-23739Incorrect authorization check in GitHub Enterprise Server leading to escalation of privileges in GraphQL API requests from GitHub Apps using scoped user-to-serv39Monitor
- CVE-2022-46255Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory in GitHub Enterprise Server leading to RCE39Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Enterprise Server | 3.17.11 | Vendor (CNA) |
| GitHub Enterprise Server | 3.18.5 | Vendor (CNA) |
| GitHub Enterprise Server | 3.19.2 | Vendor (CNA) |
Exploit status
Proof of concept available
A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.
Evidence
- Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×2
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:0 | 2026-03-15 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:0 | 2026-07-18 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- Published
- First PoC+24 d
- TodaySep 30, 2026+224 d
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
- ahacker1finder
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
- CVE-2026-14340133 days apartAn incorrect authorization vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server allows issue creation in unrelated public repositories21Monitor
- CVE-2025-6981218 days apartIncorrect authorization vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed unauthorized read-only access21Monitor
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
The product’s vendor appears in a public program. Matched by name; verify the scope text in the program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Availability
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- X
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-863 · Incorrect AuthorizationCVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:L/SI:H/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
nvd-secondary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Noroxi analysis
No Noroxi analysis for this record yet
We don't hand-write analysis for all 385,000+ vulnerabilities; that wouldn't be honest. For notable, high-impact vulnerabilities our team writes the mechanism, detection and remediation steps.
We use this product, ask for helpChange log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
- docs.github.com/en/enterprise-server@3.17/admin/release-notes#3.17.11
- docs.github.com/en/enterprise-server@3.18/admin/release-notes#3.18.5
- docs.github.com/en/enterprise-server@3.19/admin/release-notes#3.19.2
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.