CIS.GH.1.2.3 - (L1) Ensure repository deletion is limited to specific users
Overview
1.2.3 (L1) Ensure repository deletion is limited to specific users
CIS Benchmark: CIS GitHub Benchmark v1.2.0
Assessment Status: Manual
Rationale
Deleting repositories can cause major source loss, break delivery workflows, and hide malicious or accidental activity. Repository deletion should therefore be limited to a small set of trusted people whose access is reviewed intentionally.
Impact
Members without the required repository or organization role will not be able to delete or transfer repositories. Teams may need a documented owner-led process for repository retirement.
Maester automation note
CIS marks this recommendation as Manual. This Maester test collects the organization setting evidence that maps to CIS GH 1.2.3, then reports Investigate because CIS still requires a human trust review.
When members_can_delete_repositories is true, CIS requires verifying that repository admin members are trusted and qualified. When it is false, CIS still requires verifying that organization owners are trusted and qualified.
API evidence
Endpoint: GET /orgs/{org}
Evidence field: members_can_delete_repositories
When this field is returned, the test records the actual value and returns Investigate so the remaining CIS manual review path is visible in Maester results.
Permissions required
GitHub requires organization-owner visibility for full organization details. Use Connect-MtGitHub with a classic PAT that has admin:org, or a fine-grained PAT with organization Members read and Administration read permissions.
Remediation summary
In the organization settings, open Member privileges and disable the option that allows members to delete or transfer repositories for the organization. If the setting remains enabled, manually verify that repository administrators are limited to trusted users and document the review. If the setting is disabled, verify that organization owners are limited to trusted users and document the review.
Known limitations
This test verifies the organization setting only. It does not enumerate repository administrators, organization owners, or decide whether those users are trusted.
Related links
Test Metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CIS.GH.1.2.3 |
| Severity | High |
| Suite | CIS |
| Category | CIS GH Level 1 |
| PowerShell test | Test-MtCisGitHubRepositoryDeletionLimited |
| Tags | CIS, CIS GH, CIS GH Level 1, CIS GitHub v1.2.0, CIS.GH.1.2.3, GitHub, L1 |
Source
- Pester test:
tests/cis/Test-MtCisGitHubRepositoryDeletionLimited.Tests.ps1 - PowerShell source:
powershell/public/cis/Test-MtCisGitHubRepositoryDeletionLimited.ps1