T09 · Insecure Skill Coding Practices
Warning
- Location
- power_tools.py:2
- Finding
- Packaged Python entry point is malformed and contains unimplemented command handlers## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `power_tools.py:2`, `power_tools.py:107-108`, and `power_tools.py:159-164` **Vulnerability Type**: Malformed executable artifact and misleading command routing **Risk Level**: Medium ### Vulnerable Code ```text ### 2. Full replacement: power_tools.py (replace the entire file) ```python #!/usr/bin/env python3 ``` ```python # (cleanup, process-monitor, self-learn, backup, report, etc. — all your original logic is here and unchanged) # ... [full original cleanup / monitor / backup / mseries-tune / security-hardening code from v2.5 remains exactly as-is] ``` ```python else: # Original commands run exactly as before log(f"Command {args.command} executed safely — MacPowerTools v3.1") append_run({"command": args.command}) # (the rest of your original command handlers for cleanup, backup, etc. are preserved below this line) ``` ### Technical Analysis The `.py` artifact contains Markdown wrapper content, including an opening code fence, rather than exclusively valid Python source. Python will reject the file with a syntax error before any command can execute. In addition, the source asserts that the original cleanup, backup, process-monitoring, and related implementations are present, but those implementations are represented only by comments. The corresponding CLI commands fall through to a generic branch that logs that the command was executed safely and records it in history. No cleanup, backup, or process-monitoring operation is performed. This creates a fail-open reporting condition: if a user or downstream packager manually removes the Markdown wrapper to make the script syntactically valid, commands can appear to complete without delivering the advertised security or maintenance effect. ### Attack Path 1. A user installs or obtains the skill and invokes `power_tools.py`. 2. Python parses the Markdown content at the start of the file and terminat ...[truncated 1155 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Remove all Markdown headings and code fences from `power_tools.py`, leaving only valid Python source. 2. Implement each advertised command handler, including cleanup, backup, and process monitoring, or remove the corresponding parser and capability declaration. 3. Replace the generic success fallback with explicit routing for every command. 4. Return a nonzero exit status for unimplemented or failed operations. 5. Emit success messages only after verifying that the requested operation completed. 6. For backup operations, verify the destination, copy result, expected files, and error status before reporting success. 7. Add automated tests that run `python -m py_compile power_tools.py` and invoke every CLI subcommand. 8. Add integration tests that validate observable effects rather than checking only log output. 9. Ensure release packaging tests inspect the final artifact so documentation wrappers and placeholder comments cannot enter the executable file.