diff --git a/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.cjs b/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.cjs
index 992f38dee4c..14f74a99b30 100644
--- a/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.cjs
+++ b/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.cjs
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@
  * strict mode enabled (GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT=true). This ensures that public
  * repository workflows meet the security requirements enforced by strict mode.
  *
+ * Finally, the pull_request_target event is disallowed on public repositories
+ * to prevent "pwn request" attacks where a fork can trigger workflows with access
+ * to repository secrets.
+ *
  * This validation runs at the start of the workflow to fail fast if requirements
  * are not met, providing clear guidance to the user.
  *
@@ -92,6 +96,29 @@ function validateLockdownRequirements(core) {
   if (isPublic && isStrict) {
     core.info("✓ Strict mode requirements validated: Public repository compiled with strict mode");
   }
+
+  // Disallow pull_request_target event in public repositories.
+  // The pull_request_target event runs workflows in the context of the base repository
+  // with access to secrets, even when triggered from a fork. This creates a significant
+  // security risk in public repositories where anyone can open a pull request from a fork
+  // and potentially exfiltrate secrets or cause unintended side effects.
+  const eventName = process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME;
+  if (isPublic && eventName === "pull_request_target") {
+    const errorMessage =
+      "This workflow is triggered by the pull_request_target event on a public repository.\\n" +
+      "\\n" +
+      "The pull_request_target event is not allowed on public repositories because it runs\\n" +
+      "workflows with access to repository secrets even when triggered from a fork, which\\n" +
+      'creates a significant security risk (known as a "pwn request").\\n' +
+      "\\n" +
+      "To fix this, use the pull_request event instead, or migrate to a private repository.\\n" +
+      "\\n" +
+      "See: https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/docs/src/content/docs/reference/security.mdx";
+
+    core.setOutput("lockdown_check_failed", "true");
+    core.setFailed(errorMessage);
+    throw new Error(errorMessage);
+  }
 }
 
 module.exports = validateLockdownRequirements;
diff --git a/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.test.cjs b/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.test.cjs
index 3d248c58675..e6e2a323ad1 100644
--- a/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.test.cjs
+++ b/actions/setup/js/validate_lockdown_requirements.test.cjs
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ describe("validate_lockdown_requirements", () => {
     delete process.env.CUSTOM_GITHUB_TOKEN;
     delete process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY;
     delete process.env.GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT;
+    delete process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME;
 
     // Import the module
     validateLockdownRequirements = (await import("./validate_lockdown_requirements.cjs")).default;
@@ -225,4 +226,82 @@ describe("validate_lockdown_requirements", () => {
       expect(mockCore.setFailed).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining("Lockdown mode is enabled"));
     });
   });
+
+  // pull_request_target event enforcement for public repositories
+  describe("pull_request_target event enforcement for public repositories", () => {
+    it("should fail when repository is public and event is pull_request_target", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "public";
+      process.env.GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT = "true";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      expect(() => {
+        validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+      }).toThrow("pull_request_target");
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining("pull_request_target event on a public repository"));
+      expect(mockCore.setOutput).toHaveBeenCalledWith("lockdown_check_failed", "true");
+    });
+
+    it("should pass when repository is public but event is pull_request (not pull_request_target)", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "public";
+      process.env.GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT = "true";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request";
+
+      validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it("should pass when repository is private and event is pull_request_target", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "private";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it("should pass when repository is internal and event is pull_request_target", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "internal";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it("should pass when event is pull_request_target but visibility is unknown", () => {
+      // GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY not set
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it("should include security documentation link in pull_request_target error message", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "public";
+      process.env.GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT = "true";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      expect(() => {
+        validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+      }).toThrow();
+
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining("https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/docs/src/content/docs/reference/security.mdx"));
+    });
+
+    it("should fail on strict mode check before pull_request_target check when both fail", () => {
+      process.env.GITHUB_REPOSITORY_VISIBILITY = "public";
+      process.env.GH_AW_COMPILED_STRICT = "false";
+      process.env.GITHUB_EVENT_NAME = "pull_request_target";
+
+      expect(() => {
+        validateLockdownRequirements(mockCore);
+      }).toThrow("not compiled with strict mode");
+
+      // pull_request_target error should not be reached since strict mode check throws first
+      expect(mockCore.setFailed).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining("not compiled with strict mode"));
+    });
+  });
 });