VNX-GH-208: Workflow token defaults to write

Workflows without a permissions: block get a read/write token.

Updated 02 Nov 2026Checked against cli@24498404a, vdb-sca-match@v0.8.14

Every workflow that omits permissions:, including ones added later by contributors, runs with write access to contents, packages, issues and pull requests.


Severity	Medium
Confidence	high
CWE	CWE-250, CWE-276
Command	`vulnetix gha settings`, `vulnetix gha audit`
Needs	repo, actions policy. Without them the rule is reported as not evaluated, never as passed.

Remediation

Set Settings → Actions → General → Workflow permissions to “Read repository contents and packages permissions”.

Run only this rule

vulnetix gha settings --rule VNX-GH-208

Scoring

CWSS vector at the rule’s default severity: CWSS:1.0/TI:H/AP:A/AL:A/IC:N/FC:LT/RP:N/RL:A/AV:I/AS:N/IN:A/SC:A/BI:H/DI:M/EX:L/EC:N/P:W. A finding whose severity the repository’s settings moved is scored at its adjusted severity.

All rules: GitHub rules.

Edit this pageSources: vdb-sca-match/ghaudit/rules_settings.go, cli/internal/ghtasks/docs.go