T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:282- Finding
Unpinned Playwright Dependency and Browser Binary Download
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 282–285
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency and executable artifact download
Risk Level: Mediumbash # Install Playwright npm install playwright # Install browser driver npx playwright install chromiumTechnical Analysis
The installation instructions retrieve Playwright without specifying an audited version, lockfile, package integrity value, or trusted registry configuration. The subsequent
npx playwright install chromiumcommand executes the installed package's CLI and downloads an additional Chromium binary.Consequently, the code and browser artifacts executed by users can change after the Skill has been reviewed. A compromised package release, npm account, registry, dependency, or browser artifact distribution channel could introduce arbitrary code during installation. The repository contains no
package.jsonor lockfile that would provide reproducible dependency resolution.This is a supply-chain weakness rather than evidence that the current Playwright package is malicious.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a relevant npm publisher, package release, transitive dependency, configured package registry, or browser artifact distribution channel.
- The attacker publishes or substitutes a malicious artifact.
- A user follows the documented
npm install playwrightcommand, which resolves the dependency without a repository-controlled version or lockfile. - The user runs
npx playwright install chromium, executing Playwright CLI code and retrieving an additional executable artifact. - Malicious package lifecycle logic, CLI code, or a substituted executable runs under the installing user's account.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user performing installation. The resulting scope could include access to that user's readable files, environment variables, network c ...[truncated 404 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Add a
package.jsonthat pins Playwright to a specific reviewed version rather than relying on an unconstrained installation command. - Generate and commit a lockfile, and use
npm cifor reproducible installation. - Configure an explicit trusted npm registry and enforce lockfile integrity checks in CI.
- Review Playwright release notes and dependency changes before updating the pinned version.
- Pin and verify downloaded browser artifacts where the deployment process permits it, including checksums or organization-controlled artifact mirroring.
- Run dependency installation in an isolated, non-privileged environment without unrelated credentials or sensitive filesystem access.
- Use dependency scanning and provenance verification controls for package and browser artifacts.
- Replace the documented commands with reproducible setup instructions that reference the committed manifest and lockfile.
- Add a
