# GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6: @actions/download-artifact has an Arbitrary File Write via artifact extraction

> Attackers can write arbitrary files via path traversal in crafted artifacts, potentially leading to code execution in CI/CD environments.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Sep 2024

## What is GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6?

GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 is a path traversal vulnerability in actions/download-artifact, published on 3 Sep 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

### Impact

Versions of `actions/download-artifact` before 4.1.3 are vulnerable to arbitrary file write when downloading and extracting a specifically crafted artifact that contains path traversal filenames.

### Patches

Upgrade to version 4.1.3 or higher. Alternatively use 'v4' tag which points to the latest and secure version.

### References

- https://snyk.io/research/zip-slip-vulnerability
- https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/releases/tag/v4.1.3
- https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/pull/299

### CVE

CVE-2024-42471

### Credits

Justin Taft from Google

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including actions/download-artifact.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `actions/download-artifact` | GitHub Actions | From 4.0.0 | 4.1.3 |

## How do I fix GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6?

Upgrade actions/download-artifact to 4.1.3 or later.

## Is GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 is a path traversal vulnerability in actions/download-artifact, published on 3 Sep 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- actions/download-artifact (GitHub Actions): affected from 4.0.0; fixed in 4.1.3

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-cxww-7g56-2vh6/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.