Detection rules › Sigma

GitHub Repository Archive Status Changed

Status
experimental
Severity
low
Log source
product github, service audit
Author
Ivan Saakov
Source
github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma

Detects when a GitHub repository is archived or unarchived, which may indicate unauthorized changes to repository status.

Known false positives

  • Archiving or unarchiving a repository is often legitimate. Investigate this action to determine if it was authorized.

MITRE ATT&CK coverage

TacticTechniques
PersistenceNo specific technique
Defense ImpairmentNo specific technique
ImpactNo specific technique

Telemetry coverage

Rules detecting the same action

These rules filter on the same operation.

Rule body

title: GitHub Repository Archive Status Changed
id: dca8991c-cb16-4128-abf8-6b11e5cd156f
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects when a GitHub repository is archived or unarchived, which may indicate unauthorized changes to repository status.
references:
    - https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/archiving-a-github-repository/archiving-repositories
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/exploiting-repos-6-ways-threat-actors-abuse-github-other-devops-platforms
    - https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/security-log-events
author: Ivan Saakov
date: 2025-10-18
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.impact
    - attack.defense-impairment
logsource:
    product: github
    service: audit
detection:
    selection:
        action:
            - 'repo.archived'
            - 'repo.unarchived'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Archiving or unarchiving a repository is often legitimate. Investigate this action to determine if it was authorized.
level: low

Stages and Predicates

Stage 0: condition

selection

Stage 1: selection

selection:
    action:
        - 'repo.archived'
        - 'repo.unarchived'

Indicators

These rows show field, operator, and value matches.

FieldKindValuesSearch
actioneq
  • repo.archived
  • repo.unarchived
field:"action" kind:eq