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SecTalks Hobart - Workflow Orchestration Risks

Presentation on security risks in workflow orchestration systems, delivered at SecTalks Hobart. Exploring attack vectors, misconfigurations, and defensive strategies.

I presented at SecTalks Hobart on the security risks inherent in workflow orchestration platforms and CI/CD systems.

Talk Overview

Workflow orchestration tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Airflow, etc.) are critical infrastructure, but their complexity creates significant attack surface.

Topics Covered

  • Supply Chain Attacks: Malicious actions/plugins and dependency confusion
  • Secrets Management: Common pitfalls in handling credentials and API keys
  • Privilege Escalation: From workflow execution to infrastructure access
  • Lateral Movement: How compromised pipelines can spread across environments

Key Takeaways

  • Default configurations often prioritize convenience over security
  • Least-privilege principles are critical but rarely implemented
  • Monitoring and auditing workflow execution is essential
  • Third-party actions/plugins require the same scrutiny as any dependency

Event: SecTalks Hobart community meetup - a vendor-neutral, non-commercial security gathering focused on hands-on learning and knowledge sharing.