Suspicious GitHub Self-Hosted Runner Registration via Audit Log (via github)

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1195Supply Chain Compromise
Execution
Persistence
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Priv Esc
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the registration of a self-hosted runner in GitHub audit logs. Threat actors abuse self-hosted runner registration to plant a backdoor that executes attacker controlled workflows on infrastructure they should not control. Unexpected runner registration events should be validated against approved automation changes.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1543 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious Linux XorDDoS gcc.pid Device Marker File via file_event

Windows Code Integrity: Blocked Driver Load Due to Revoked Certificate (Event ID 3023)

Windows PUA System Informer Driver Load via SystemInformer.sys

System Informer Execution on Windows Process Creation

Suspicious GitHub Self-Hosted Runner Registration via Audit Log (via github)

Pivot detection · T1543 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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