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CTEM-SRC-4 - Public Source Code Repository - Unrelated 3rd Party

To be Completed

Documentation has not been completed. This page is a placeholder for future documentation.

A Public Source Code Repository - Unrelated 3rd Party refers to a repository created by an external party that does not appear to be directly affiliated with the organization but contains references to the company. These repositories may include data scraped from the company's public-facing resources or information that mentions or involves the company in some way. For larger organizations with a significant digital footprint, these repositories are common and can pose varying levels of risk depending on the information they contain.

Characteristics of an Unrelated 3rd Party Public Repository​

  • Unrelated Ownership: The repository is created by an individual or organization with no clear affiliation to the company. These repositories are not managed or sanctioned by the company or its employees.
  • References to the Organization: The repository may contain scraped data, project references, or content that involves the organization. This can range from harmless mentions to critical disclosures of sensitive information.
  • Public Accessibility: The repository is publicly accessible, making any sensitive information it contains available to anyone on the internet.

Common Methods of Discovery​

Unrelated 3rd party public repositories are typically discovered through:

  • Web Scraping and Data Mining: External parties may scrape data from public-facing resources of the company, such as APIs or websites, and publish it in their repositories.
  • Search Engines and Automated Tools: Search engines, code indexing services, or automated tools like GitGuardian can detect repositories that contain references to the organization.
  • Keyword Monitoring: Monitoring public SCM platforms using keywords related to the organization can help identify repositories that contain potentially sensitive information.

Risks and Impact​

The risks associated with the exposure of an unrelated 3rd party public repository include:

  • Intellectual Property Disclosure: Source code, proprietary algorithms, or project details involving the company may be disclosed without permission, providing insights to competitors or attackers.
  • Sensitive Information Exposure: The repository may contain confidential data scraped from public resources, such as credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive company information.
  • Misuse of Company Identity: The organization's identity may be misused in a way that damages its reputation, particularly if the repository implies association with the company or includes misleading information.
  • Targeted Attacks: Attackers may use information in the repository, such as internal references, to target the organization with specific attacks aimed at exploiting disclosed details.

Key Considerations for Threat Exposure Management​

Managing the risks associated with unrelated 3rd party public repositories requires proactive monitoring and response:

  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor public SCM platforms for repositories that reference the organization. Set up automated alerts to notify security teams when new content is detected.
  • Engagement with Repository Owners: When sensitive information is found in an unrelated 3rd party repository, engage with the repository owner to request its removal or modification. This can help minimize potential exposure.
  • Legal Considerations: Evaluate whether legal actions are warranted if sensitive information is exposed without authorization, particularly in cases where intellectual property or confidential data is involved.
  • Internal Awareness: Ensure that employees and partners are aware of the risks of public data scraping and understand best practices to minimize the amount of sensitive information exposed on public-facing resources.
  • Data Minimization: Minimize the amount of sensitive information publicly accessible through APIs, websites, and other public resources. Implement rate limiting, access controls, and data obfuscation where applicable.

Unrelated 3rd party public repositories pose unique risks due to the lack of direct control the organization has over the content. Effective threat exposure management requires proactive monitoring, timely engagement with repository owners, and robust internal practices to reduce the risk of sensitive information being inadvertently exposed.