T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:118- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, line 118
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned and unverifiable third-party dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
bash pip install openai-whisper pyaudio numpyTechnical Analysis
The skill instructs users or agents to install three packages without exact version constraints, package hashes, a lockfile, or an explicitly trusted package index. Consequently, installation results can change over time and may include unreviewed versions or transitive dependencies.
Because Python packages can execute code during installation and when imported, compromise of a named package, its maintainer account, the package repository, or a transitive dependency could result in attacker-controlled code execution. The reviewed project does not itself prove that any named package is malicious; the vulnerability is the unsafe, non-reproducible dependency installation process.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a listed package, its release process, or one of its transitive dependencies and publishes a malicious version to the package source used by
pip. - A user or agent follows the instruction at line 118.
- Because no versions or hashes are specified,
pipresolves the attacker-controlled or otherwise unreviewed release. - Malicious package code executes during installation or later when the dependency is imported by the external audio implementation.
- The payload operates with the privileges of the account running
pipor the audio process.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution with the installing user's privileges. Depending on those privileges and the host environment, the attacker could access files and environment variables available to that user, alter user-owned data, interfere with audio processing, or establish additional malicious behavior. The affected scope is the installation environmen ...[truncated 167 chars]
- An attacker compromises a listed package, its release process, or one of its transitive dependencies and publishes a malicious version to the package source used by
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Replace the direct installation command with a reviewed dependency manifest containing exact versions.
- Lock all transitive dependencies to make installations reproducible.
- Require package hashes, such as through a hash-locked
requirements.txtinstalled with:bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt - Configure an approved HTTPS package index or internal artifact repository rather than relying on an implicit source.
- Review and scan every pinned package and transitive dependency before release.
- Perform installation in an isolated virtual environment under a non-privileged account.
- Periodically update dependencies through a controlled review and testing process rather than allowing automatic resolution to arbitrary new releases.