Skip to main content

CTEM-SRC-5 - Public Source Code Repository - Unrelated Company Comment / Issue

To be Completed

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

A Public Source Code Repository - Unrelated Company Comment / Issue refers to a scenario where a comment or issue is posted on a public repository that discloses information about the organization. This typically occurs when someone within the organization is experiencing issues with an open source project and posts a comment or issue, inadvertently disclosing how that system is being used internally, resulting in information leakage.

Characteristics of an Unrelated Company Comment / Issue​

  • Public Disclosure: The comment or issue is publicly accessible, often on platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, where open source projects are hosted.
  • Unintentional Information Sharing: The information shared is typically unintentional and may reveal how internal systems or processes are configured, providing insights that can be exploited.
  • Contextual Relevance: The comment or issue may provide specific details about how the organization utilizes the open source project, which can include configuration details, usage patterns, or even problems encountered in an internal environment.

Common Methods of Discovery​

Unrelated company comments or issues are typically discovered through:

  • Public SCM Platform Monitoring: Monitoring public source code management (SCM) platforms for mentions of the organization's name or other related keywords can help identify potential information leaks.
  • Search Engines and Indexing Tools: Search engines and code indexing services can reveal comments or issues that reference the organization, even if they are not directly affiliated.
  • Keyword Alerts: Setting up keyword alerts on SCM platforms can notify security teams whenever specific terms or identifiers related to the organization are mentioned.

Risks and Impact​

The risks associated with the exposure of an unrelated company comment or issue include:

  • Sensitive Information Exposure: Internal details about the company's use of a particular technology, including configurations or usage practices, may be disclosed, providing attackers with useful information for targeted attacks.
  • Intellectual Property Leakage: In some cases, the comment or issue may inadvertently reference proprietary systems or methods, disclosing sensitive intellectual property.
  • Social Engineering Risk: Attackers may use the information found in these comments to craft more convincing social engineering attacks or phishing campaigns, targeting employees or the organization.
  • Reputation Impact: The disclosure of internal issues or information about how the organization uses a particular system may damage the company's reputation, especially if it reveals vulnerabilities or internal challenges.

Key Considerations for Threat Exposure Management​

Managing the risks associated with unrelated company comments or issues requires proactive monitoring, employee education, and response protocols:

  • Employee Training: Educate employees on the risks of sharing sensitive information in public comments or issues. Emphasize the importance of anonymizing data and avoiding any references to internal systems when seeking help on public forums.
  • Monitoring and Alerts: Continuously monitor public SCM platforms for comments or issues that mention the organization. Set up automated alerts to detect mentions of internal systems, configurations, or other sensitive information.
  • Engagement and Remediation: When sensitive information is found in a public comment or issue, engage with the poster to request modifications or deletions where possible. Provide guidance on how to properly anonymize the information.
  • Internal Reporting Mechanism: Establish an internal reporting mechanism for employees who need support with open source projects. This can help reduce the likelihood of sensitive information being shared publicly by providing an internal avenue for assistance.

Unrelated company comments or issues on public repositories pose a risk due to the unintentional disclosure of sensitive information. Effective threat exposure management includes employee awareness, proactive monitoring, and the implementation of best practices to minimize these risks.