The RichardoC github-workflow-updater-extension is designed to enhance security by pinning GitHub Actions to specific commits automatically. However, versions prior to 0.0.7 suffer from a CWE-522 vulnerability, where GitHub tokens provided to the extension are stored insecurely in plaintext within the VS Code editor configuration JSON file on disk. Instead of leveraging the VS Code securestorage API, which encrypts and protects sensitive data, the tokens are exposed in a readable format. This creates a risk that any attacker or malicious local user with read-only access to the user's home directory can extract these tokens. Such tokens typically have privileges to perform GitHub API actions on behalf of the user, potentially leading to unauthorized repository access or workflow manipulation. The vulnerability requires local access with limited privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N) and has a scope change (S:C) because the token compromise can affect external GitHub resources. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 3.8, indicating low severity due to the limited attack vector and privileges required. No public exploits have been observed, and the issue was published on October 28, 2025. The recommended remediation is to update the extension to version 0.0.7 or later, where token storage uses the securestorage API, mitigating plaintext exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens developers and DevOps engineers using the affected VS Code extension. If an attacker gains read-only access to a developer's home directory—through compromised endpoints, insider threats, or malware—they could extract GitHub tokens and misuse them to manipulate workflows, access private repositories, or exfiltrate code. This could lead to intellectual property theft, disruption of CI/CD pipelines, or insertion of malicious code into software builds. Organizations with stringent compliance requirements around source code integrity and access control, such as those in finance, healthcare, or critical infrastructure sectors, may face regulatory and reputational damage if such a breach occurs. However, the low CVSS score and requirement for local access limit the likelihood of widespread impact. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability or system integrity but compromises confidentiality of credentials, which can cascade into broader risks if tokens have extensive permissions.

European organizations should ensure all developers and DevOps personnel update the github-workflow-updater-extension to version 0.0.7 or later immediately. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict endpoint security controls to prevent unauthorized local access, including disk encryption, strong user account management, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. Regular audits of stored credentials and secrets on developer machines should be conducted to detect plaintext tokens. Implementing least privilege principles for GitHub tokens—limiting scopes and expiration—reduces potential damage if tokens are compromised. Additionally, organizations can adopt secret scanning tools integrated into their CI/CD pipelines to detect exposed tokens. Training developers on secure credential storage practices and monitoring for anomalous GitHub API activity can further mitigate risks. Finally, consider using hardware security modules (HSMs) or dedicated secret management solutions to avoid local token storage where feasible.