Top CI/CD Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them

CI/CD pipelines speed up software delivery but come with risks that can expose sensitive systems and data. From leaked secrets to supply chain attacks, these vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches, service outages, and regulatory fines. Here's what you need to know:

• Secret Leaks: Hardcoded credentials and scattered secrets can give attackers access to critical systems.
• Supply Chain Attacks: Compromised third-party tools or dependencies can infect entire pipelines.
• Configuration Errors: Default settings, exposed services, and outdated dependencies create security gaps.
• Weak Access Controls: Over-permissioned accounts and shared credentials increase the risk of privilege escalation.
• Code Injection: Malicious code in scripts, dependencies, or pull requests can compromise applications.
• Monitoring Gaps: Without real-time detection, incidents can escalate before being addressed.

Key Solutions:

• Use secret management tools and automate credential rotation.
• Scan dependencies and container images for vulnerabilities.
• Implement precise role-based access controls with multi-factor authentication.
• Regularly audit and monitor pipelines for anomalies.
• Automate security checks at every stage of the pipeline.

CI/CD: Top 10 Security Risks

Secret Leaks and Credential Management

Among the many vulnerabilities faced by CI/CD pipelines, few are as pressing as secret leaks. When sensitive credentials are exposed, attackers can gain direct access to critical systems and data. This risk is amplified because CI/CD pipelines often interact with various environments and services, creating numerous opportunities for credentials to be mishandled or exposed.

How Secrets Get Exposed

Secrets often find their way into code and configuration files through hardcoding. Developers may unintentionally include API keys, passwords, or tokens in their code, and once these hardcoded secrets are committed to version control systems, they become accessible to anyone with repository access.

Plain environment variables can also pose a risk, as they may inadvertently reveal sensitive data through logs or script outputs.

When credentials are scattered across multiple tools and files, managing access and updating them becomes cumbersome and error-prone. This lack of organisation increases the chances of exposure.

Additionally, limited auditing capabilities make it difficult to track and detect unauthorised use of credentials. Without proper oversight, breaches may go unnoticed, delaying the response to potential security incidents.

How to Prevent Secret Leaks

To safeguard credentials, centralising secret management is essential. Using dedicated tools designed for this purpose ensures a single, secure source for sensitive data. These tools often include strong access controls and audit trails, making it easier to maintain consistent security practices.

Avoid embedding secrets directly in code by injecting them at runtime through environment variables or secure secret stores. This method keeps sensitive information out of your codebase and version control systems, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.

Automating the rotation of secrets is another critical step. Regularly updating credentials limits the time an attacker can exploit compromised secrets, significantly reducing the potential damage.

Implementing least-privilege access controls is also key. This ensures that users and services only have access to the credentials they need and only for the duration necessary.

Regular secret scanning should be integrated into your CI/CD pipeline to catch exposed credentials before they make it to production. Additionally, comprehensive audit logging provides visibility into how secrets are used, helping to identify suspicious activity and aiding in compliance and incident investigations.

At Hokstad Consulting, we specialise in helping UK organisations develop robust secret management strategies that fit seamlessly into their DevOps workflows. Our solutions prioritise secure, automated processes that protect sensitive credentials while ensuring development cycles remain efficient.

Supply Chain Attacks and Compromised Pipelines

Supply chain attacks are among the stealthiest and most dangerous threats to modern CI/CD pipelines. These attacks target third-party tools and dependencies that development teams use to build and deploy applications. When a dependency is compromised, the damage can ripple across multiple projects, creating a chain reaction that is both hard to detect and challenging to stop. Let’s delve into the specific security risks tied to these attacks.

Supply Chain Security Risks

Here are some of the major risks to watch out for:

• Compromised contributor access: Attackers take advantage of weak contributor management practices to gain write access to repositories hosting widely used libraries and tools. Once inside, they inject malicious code into the project [1].

• Manipulation of mutable version tags: Tags like v1, main, or latest can be redirected by attackers to lead developers to malicious commits [1].

• Stolen credentials: Credentials stolen from one project can be used to breach other dependencies, spreading the attack further [1].

• Typosquatting: This involves registering packages with names that closely resemble legitimate ones, tricking developers into downloading and using malicious versions [1].

These risks highlight the importance of securing every link in the software supply chain to prevent cascading failures.

CI/CD Configuration Errors

Mistakes in configuring CI/CD pipelines can open the door to serious vulnerabilities. Even seasoned teams can miss critical settings, especially when juggling the complexity of modern deployment environments and the constant push to deliver features quickly. Below, we’ll explore common configuration missteps and practical solutions to address them.

Frequent Configuration Mistakes

Default settings left unsecured are a frequent issue in CI/CD setups. Many teams prioritise quick setups and leave default configurations unchanged. These defaults often include permissive access controls, disabled security features, or weak authentication measures - perfect opportunities for attackers to exploit.

Exposed ports and services are another common pitfall. Developers sometimes configure their pipelines to expose unnecessary ports or services to the internet, such as database ports, admin interfaces, or debugging endpoints. Without proper encryption or authentication, these exposed points can become easy targets for malicious actors.

Outdated dependencies and base images are a hidden but significant risk. Teams often rely on container images or software dependencies that haven’t been updated in months - or even years. These outdated components can harbour known vulnerabilities, which attackers are quick to exploit. The risk worsens when teams fail to implement automated scanning to identify and address outdated components.

Excessive permissions in CI/CD systems can also lead to trouble. Many configurations grant build processes more access than they need, violating the principle of least privilege. If a pipeline is compromised, these broad permissions can amplify the potential damage.

Improper handling of secrets is another weak spot. Sensitive data, such as API keys or passwords, sometimes ends up stored in plain text, logged during processes, or protected by weak encryption. Such mismanagement can lead to critical information being exposed, even when teams believe they’re following best practices.

Insufficient network segmentation between pipeline stages or environments can create additional vulnerabilities. When development, staging, and production environments share the same network without proper isolation, a breach in one area can quickly spread to others.

Addressing these challenges requires proactive measures. Let’s look at some effective ways to fix these issues.

How to Fix Configuration Issues

To tackle these vulnerabilities, teams need to adopt robust security practices from the outset.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a great starting point. By defining your CI/CD infrastructure as code, you can standardise configurations, track changes through version control, and ensure consistent security settings across all environments. This approach makes it easier to spot and fix vulnerabilities early.

Automated configuration scanning is another essential step. Integrate tools that scan your CI/CD configurations for security flaws, compliance issues, and deviations from established baselines. These scans should run automatically whenever configurations are updated.

Security-first templates can simplify the process of setting up secure pipelines. Develop standardised templates that include essential security measures like proper authentication, encryption, network restrictions, and minimal permissions. Teams can then customise these templates while maintaining core security principles.

Regular configuration audits are crucial for maintaining a strong security posture over time. Schedule periodic reviews of your CI/CD settings, focusing on permissions, exposed services, and overall security. Combine automated tools with manual reviews by team members who have a strong focus on security.

Automated dependency scanning ensures outdated components don’t slip through the cracks. Set up tools that detect outdated dependencies and generate alerts or pull requests for updates. This makes it easier for teams to stay on top of vulnerabilities and apply patches promptly.

Network segmentation and access controls are vital for limiting potential damage. Use firewalls, VPNs, or cloud security groups to isolate different pipeline stages and environments. Ensure development environments can’t directly access production systems, and enforce strict authentication for external access.

Configuration validation pipelines act as a safety net. Create automated tests to verify that your CI/CD configurations meet security standards before they’re deployed. These tests should flag common misconfigurations, validate security settings, and ensure compliance with organisational policies.

The bottom line? Security needs to be baked into your configuration processes from the beginning. By treating it as a core requirement, rather than an afterthought, you can significantly reduce the risk of exposing your systems to attacks - all while maintaining the speed and efficiency that make CI/CD pipelines so valuable.

Weak Access Controls

Access control vulnerabilities are among the most critical risks in CI/CD environments. When access permissions aren't properly managed, systems become susceptible to privilege escalation and lateral movement. The interconnected nature of CI/CD pipelines means that a single compromised account can jeopardise multiple environments and services. Below are some common issues and actionable steps to address them effectively.

Access Control Problems

Overly broad permissions are a frequent issue in CI/CD systems. Many organisations grant developers or service accounts admin-level access across the entire pipeline. This violates the principle of least privilege, significantly increasing risk. If an account with extensive permissions is compromised, attackers can gain control over production systems, sensitive data, and essential infrastructure.

Shared service accounts add another layer of risk. These generic accounts, often used for deployments or system maintenance, lack individual accountability. When multiple people share credentials, it's impossible to track specific actions. Worse, these accounts often remain active with unchanged passwords even after employees leave, creating a security blind spot for attackers to exploit.

Weak authentication mechanisms also leave systems vulnerable. Many pipelines still rely on simple username and password combinations, making them easy targets for brute force or credential-stuffing attacks. Without additional layers of authentication, a single compromised password could grant full access to critical systems.

Poorly implemented role-based access control (RBAC) and cross-environment access are significant weak points. Some organisations attempt to use RBAC but fail to define roles clearly, leading to inconsistent permissions. Additionally, temporary access granted to development teams for troubleshooting often becomes permanent, creating an easy pathway for attackers to move from less secure development environments to production systems.

API and service-to-service authentication flaws can compromise entire pipelines. Many CI/CD tools rely on APIs for communication, and weak API authentication allows attackers to impersonate services and access sensitive data.

How to Strengthen Access Controls

Define RBAC with precision by tailoring permissions to actual job roles. Avoid basing roles on organisational hierarchy. For instance, a junior developer working on frontend tasks shouldn't have the same access as a senior engineer managing infrastructure. Create specific roles for pipeline stages like code review, testing, deployment, and monitoring, granting only the minimum permissions required for each task.

Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points, including human users, service accounts, and automated processes where possible. Modern MFA methods like mobile apps, hardware tokens, or biometrics add extra layers of security. For service accounts that can't use traditional MFA, consider alternatives like certificate-based authentication or hardware security modules (HSMs).

Adopt pipeline-based access controls to limit permissions by environment and pipeline stage. Users should only access the environments relevant to their current tasks. Implement approval workflows for production deployments and infrastructure changes, requiring multiple team members to approve and incorporating automated security checks.

Set step-level permissions within pipeline stages. Not every team member needs access to every part of the deployment process. For example, some users might only need to trigger builds, while others may require read-only access to monitor pipeline status. Define and enforce these permissions clearly.

Use just-in-time (JIT) access for sensitive operations. Instead of granting permanent access to production systems, provide temporary elevated permissions that expire after a specific timeframe. This reduces the attack surface and ensures elevated access is only available when needed.

Conduct regular access reviews and audits to maintain strong controls. Schedule quarterly reviews to identify and remove unnecessary permissions. Look for dormant accounts, service accounts no longer in use, and users with permissions exceeding their current role requirements.

Implement centralised identity and access management (IAM) for consistent access control across your CI/CD infrastructure. IAM systems provide single sign-on (SSO), centralised user management, and enforcement of consistent policies across tools and platforms. They also generate detailed audit logs to help track access patterns and detect potential security issues.

Leverage network-level access controls to complement application-level permissions. Use IP whitelisting for administrative access, VPNs for remote access to sensitive systems, and network segmentation to isolate different pipeline environments.

The key to effective access control is finding the right balance between security and usability. Overly restrictive measures can frustrate development teams and lead to risky workarounds. Collaborate with your teams to design access controls that protect your systems while supporting smooth workflows.

Code Injection and Security Vulnerabilities

Code injection is a serious threat to CI/CD pipelines. It allows harmful code to infiltrate applications through automated processes, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromises, and regulatory violations. These attacks can ripple through interconnected systems, causing widespread damage.

Code Injection Attack Methods

Script injection involves inserting harmful code into build scripts. Attackers often target tools like Maven, Gradle, or npm, embedding commands that execute during the build phase. These scripts can steal environment variables, alter application code, or create backdoors for future attacks.

Dependency confusion attacks exploit how package managers handle dependencies. By uploading malicious packages with names similar to internal ones, attackers trick systems into installing these harmful packages. Once installed, they execute code with the same permissions as the build system.

Pull request poisoning occurs when attackers submit code changes that appear legitimate but hide harmful functionality. These changes might be spread across multiple commits or deliberately obfuscated to avoid detection, making them particularly dangerous in normal workflows.

Environment variable manipulation lets attackers inject harmful values into build or deployment environments. Since CI/CD systems often rely on these variables for configuration and sensitive data, this can lead to redirected traffic, altered database connections, or exposed credentials.

Template injection attacks target systems that use dynamic templates for configuration. Attackers embed harmful syntax into templates, which then execute during the build or deployment process. This can allow access to sensitive data, file reading, or command execution.

Container image tampering modifies base images or layers during the build process. Attackers may inject harmful software, change binaries, or alter configurations within container images. Since containers are often treated as unchangeable, these modifications can persist across deployments.

Third-party integration vulnerabilities arise when external services connected to CI/CD pipelines are insecure. Compromised APIs, webhooks, or notification services can be used to inject harmful code or steal sensitive information.

How to Prevent Code Injection

Understanding these attack methods is the first step. Here are key measures to reduce the risk of injection attacks:

• Run SAST on every commit. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools analyse source code for vulnerabilities without executing it. Automate these scans for every commit and pull request, ensuring vulnerabilities are flagged and addressed early.

• Use DAST for runtime testing. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools simulate attacks on running applications to uncover vulnerabilities missed by static analysis. Run these tests in staging environments that mirror production setups.

• Strengthen code reviews. Go beyond checking functionality - train developers to spot injection patterns, suspicious structures, and security risks. Make security-focused reviews mandatory for changes affecting critical areas like authentication or external integrations.

• Automate dependency and container image scans. Use tools to identify vulnerabilities in dependencies and container images during builds. Set up alerts for new vulnerabilities in existing components.

• Enforce secure coding standards. Define and automate guidelines for practices like input validation and error handling. Use tools like linters to ensure consistent application across teams.

• Isolate build environments. Use containerised builds with minimal privileges and restricted access. Rotate build environments regularly to prevent persistent threats.

• Validate and sanitise inputs. Check all external inputs, such as environment variables and API responses. Use allowlists and proper output encoding to block injection attempts.

• Automate vulnerability remediation. Set up workflows to handle new threats quickly. Automate ticket creation, team notifications, and low-risk patch applications, while having clear escalation paths for critical issues.

• Monitor pipelines for anomalies. Use tools like SIEM systems to detect unusual behaviour, such as unexpected network activity or unauthorised file changes during builds.

• Implement code signing. Use cryptographic signatures to verify the integrity of code, dependencies, and build artifacts throughout the pipeline.

A layered approach is the most effective defence. Regular security assessments, penetration testing, and red team exercises can help identify gaps in your defences and ensure your strategies are working as intended. Security in CI/CD pipelines is not just about tools - it's about constant vigilance and proactive measures.

Monitoring and Incident Response

Monitoring and incident response act as your last line of defence in securing CI/CD pipelines. Even with the most stringent security measures, incidents can still occur. The key difference between a minor hiccup and a full-scale breach often comes down to how quickly you can detect and respond to threats.

Why Monitoring Matters

In fast-paced CI/CD environments, where code transitions rapidly from development to production, real-time threat detection is absolutely essential. Traditional monitoring methods, which rely on static checks, often fall short in these dynamic systems.

Behavioural anomaly detection is a powerful tool for identifying threats that evade standard controls. For instance, unusual network activity during a build, unexpected resource spikes, or processes behaving out of the ordinary could signal an issue. Imagine a build process suddenly making outbound connections to unknown IPs or consuming far more CPU than usual - these are red flags that something might be wrong.

Pipeline integrity monitoring ensures that critical components like CI/CD configurations, build scripts, and deployment processes remain secure. Unauthorised changes to these elements often serve as precursors to larger attacks. Monitoring tools should trigger alerts for any configuration changes made outside approved workflows or when build artifacts deviate from established baselines.

Incident-specific credential monitoring focuses on identifying active threats during security events, such as compromised accounts. Unusual access patterns, like login attempts from unexpected locations or at odd hours, can indicate an ongoing attack.

Additionally, compliance and audit requirements in industries like finance, healthcare, and government necessitate continuous monitoring. These sectors often require detailed logs of pipeline activities, such as who deployed what, when, and under what approvals, to meet regulatory standards.

Together, these monitoring strategies form a strong foundation for an effective incident response plan.

How to Respond to Security Incidents

When preventive measures fall short, swift and decisive action is critical. Tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) can help streamline detection and response efforts.

Key response actions include:

• SIEM integration: Consolidates visibility across your CI/CD ecosystem, correlating events to spot potential security issues.
• SOAR automation: Helps contain incidents by isolating compromised components, revoking affected credentials, and initiating rollbacks.
• Incident response playbooks: Provide tailored guidelines for handling scenarios like compromised build environments, leaked secrets, malicious code injections, and supply chain attacks.
• Automated containment: Limits the spread of incidents while experts evaluate the situation.
• Communication protocols: Define clear roles and escalation paths to ensure stakeholders are informed and aligned during an incident.
• Forensic capabilities: Rely on detailed logs of builds, deployments, access events, and system changes to investigate incidents thoroughly.
• Recovery procedures: Focus on rebuilding affected environments using trusted configurations and rotating compromised credentials.
• Post-incident analysis: Offers opportunities to improve future response strategies based on lessons learned.

Striking a balance between automation and business continuity is crucial to avoid unnecessary disruptions to valid operations. The most effective incident response plans combine automated tools for rapid containment with human expertise for more nuanced decision-making. Regular practice, such as tabletop exercises and simulated incidents, ensures your team is prepared to act decisively when real threats arise. In CI/CD environments, every second counts - quick responses can mean the difference between a contained issue and a major breach.

Conclusion

Securing CI/CD pipelines demands a clear understanding of the major risks involved. These include exposed secrets, weak access controls, supply chain attacks, and code injection vulnerabilities. Left unchecked, these threats can lead to breaches that harm both your organisation and your customers.

Taking a layered and proactive approach is key. This involves using secrets management tools, enforcing role-based access controls with multi-factor authentication, performing regular dependency scans, and maintaining constant monitoring throughout your pipeline. These practices allow organisations to detect and stop malicious updates before they reach production environments.

The State of Code Security Report 2025 by Wiz highlights that 35% of enterprises still rely on self-hosted runners with poor security practices, leaving them vulnerable to lateral movement attacks [2]. This underscores why UK organisations must prioritise action now.

High-profile incidents like the Codecov and SolarWinds breaches have shown how attackers exploit pipeline vulnerabilities to compromise thousands of downstream customers [3]. Beyond the financial and reputational fallout, organisations must also meet stringent regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, which demands robust CI/CD security measures. Strengthening your pipeline not only mitigates attacks but also ensures compliance with these legal obligations.

By implementing proven strategies - from secrets management to regular audits - organisations can effectively manage these risks. For those seeking expert guidance, Hokstad Consulting specialises in DevOps transformation and cloud security. Their services include security assessments, automated CI/CD pipelines with built-in security controls, and ongoing monitoring. With a track record of helping businesses reduce cloud costs by 30–50% while maintaining high security standards, Hokstad Consulting equips UK organisations to build resilient, compliant, and cost-effective CI/CD environments that stand up to modern threats.

Every day without proper CI/CD security increases your exposure to potential breaches. A secure pipeline not only accelerates delivery but also safeguards your critical infrastructure.

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