A novel phishing vector has been identified targeting the GitHub device code flow, a common method for applications without direct browser access to authenticate. This flow requires users to visit a specific URL on the official GitHub site and enter a code displayed by the application requesting access.
However, attackers can manipulate this process. By generating their own malicious code using specialized tooling, they can socially engineer a user into entering this fraudulent code onto the legitimate GitHub login page. Since the user is on the official GitHub website, they might mistakenly believe they are completing a standard, secure authentication step.
Upon entering the malicious code, the user is presented with an authorization prompt on the genuine GitHub site, asking to grant permissions to an application controlled by the attacker. If the user proceeds, the attacker receives an access token, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the user’s GitHub account and resources. This highlights how a legitimate authentication mechanism can be exploited through sophisticated user deception.
Tools designed for security assessment can simulate this attack to help organizations understand their exposure. They serve as an open-source tool for demonstrating this specific security vulnerability and testing the effectiveness of current cybersecurity defenses and user awareness training against such phishing attacks. Protecting against this requires educating users to carefully examine authorization requests, understanding exactly which application they are granting permissions to, even when seemingly interacting with the official GitHub domain. Enhancing developer security awareness regarding these subtle attack methods is crucial in mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/07/03/gitphish-open-source-github-device-code-flow-security-assessment-tool/
