Repository Compromised – Ticket Created but No Response Yet. Any Community Advice?

[aafronala-ui]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Code quality

Discussion Details

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone has been through a similar situation or has any helpful advice to share.

My GitHub account/repository was recently compromised by an unauthorized user (hacker/other individual). I have already submitted a support ticket through the official GitHub Support contact form with all the necessary details – including my username, associated emails, repository names, and proof of ownership.

Unfortunately, it's been more than a week and I haven't received any response yet. I understand that support is busy and that these cases take time, but I'm feeling quite anxious about the situation and would appreciate any insights from the community.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

Has anyone here successfully recovered a compromised account or repository, and if so, how long did it take?

Are there any additional steps I can take while waiting for support to get back to me?

Is there anything I should avoid doing that might accidentally make recovery harder (e.g., creating a new account with the same email)?

Are there any security measures I should prepare to implement immediately after regaining access?

I'm not asking the community to resolve my issue directly – I know that's for GitHub Support – but I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, tips, or any useful information you can share.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

[praxezz]

Hi, sorry you're dealing with this — I know how stressful it is to be locked out and waiting.

To answer your questions directly:

Has anyone successfully recovered a compromised account, and how long did it take?
Yes, it happens fairly often. Based on similar cases in this community, account recovery tickets require manual human review by GitHub's Trust & Safety team, so 3–7 days is typical, and it can stretch to 1–2 weeks depending on their queue. A week without a response (like you're experiencing) is unfortunately within the normal range, not a sign something's gone wrong with your case specifically.

Additional steps while waiting:

• Reply directly on your existing ticket thread with a short follow-up (don't open a new ticket — it can reset your place in the queue). Something like: "Following up — it's been [X] days with no response, this is time-sensitive as I've lost account access."
• Double-check the inbox (including spam/junk) of the email address you typed into the support form — GitHub replies there, not to the email currently attached to the hijacked account.
• If you have a Pro/Team/Enterprise plan, mention that in your follow-up — paid tiers can get faster SLA handling.

What to avoid:

• Don't create a new account with the same email — it can complicate identity verification and may cause GitHub to flag/freeze both accounts.
• Don't repeatedly trigger password resets — this can cause rate-limiting that delays legitimate recovery further.

Security steps once you regain access:

• Rotate your password, all SSH keys, and all Personal Access Tokens
• Revoke all OAuth app authorizations (Settings → Applications)
• Enable 2FA with an authenticator app (not SMS), and save recovery codes offline
• Check Settings → Security log for anything the attacker did — added collaborators, new deploy keys, or webhooks are common ways attackers keep backdoor access even after you're back in

Hope this helps, and hope you get it resolved soon.

[ananyag309]

Sorry to hear that. While waiting for GitHub Support, make sure you've secured your email account, changed passwords on any linked services, and enabled two-factor authentication if you still have access. Avoid creating a new account with the same email, as it could complicate recovery. Once you regain access, review your SSH keys, personal access tokens, OAuth apps, and repository permissions, and rotate any exposed secrets. Hopefully, GitHub Support responds soon.

[tobiager]

Hi @aafronala-ui,

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Dealing with a compromised repository is incredibly stressful, but it's great that you've already taken the most important first step by opening an official support ticket with all your ownership details.

To help ease your anxiety and give you some actionable insights, here are answers to your specific questions based on community experiences and standard security practices:

1. How long does recovery usually take?

Account recovery tickets involving security compromises require deep verification by GitHub's specialized security team to ensure the account returns to its rightful owner. This process typically takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on ticket volume. Rest assured, since you provided your username, associated emails, and proof of ownership upfront, you've given them exactly what they need to process it as efficiently as possible.

2. Additional steps you can take right now

While you wait for support, focus on securing your local environment and connected accounts:

• Secure your email account: Ensure the email address associated with your GitHub account has its password changed immediately and has 2FA enabled. Attackers often compromise the email first to intercept GitHub password resets. Check your email's forwarding rules or filters to ensure GitHub notifications aren't being automatically archived or deleted.
• Scan your local machine: Run a deep malware/antivirus scan on your computer. Session hijacking (stealing browser cookies or tokens) is a common way attackers bypass 2FA without needing your password.
• Check your local Git configs: Ensure no sensitive environment variables or credentials are sitting exposed in your local project files.

3. What to AVOID doing

• Do NOT create a new account with the same email: This can complicate the database mapping and potentially slow down the recovery process or confuse the automated verification systems.
• Do NOT open multiple support tickets: Submitting duplicate tickets for the same issue can unintentionally reset your position in the queue or cause administrative delays.
• Beware of external recovery scams: Disregard anyone on social media claiming they can "reclaim your account" for a fee. Only official GitHub Support can securely restore your access.

4. Security measures to implement immediately after regaining access

Once you get your access back, perform a thorough audit before pushing any code:

• Change your password & Reset 2FA: Set up a strong, unique password and configure 2FA using a reliable authenticator app or security keys.
• Revoke unauthorized credentials: Go to your account settings and check SSH and GPG keys, Personal Access Tokens (PATs), and Authorized OAuth Apps. Delete absolutely everything you don’t explicitly recognize.
• Check repository settings: Review your repositories for unauthorized Webhooks, newly added collaborators, or altered branch protection rules.

Hang in there! The wait is the hardest part, but GitHub Support handles these cases daily and will help you get everything sorted out.