T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Note
- Location
- SKILL.md:100
- Finding
- Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md:100` **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned package installation from a mutable public registry **Risk Level**: Low **Vulnerable Code**: ```bash pip install pyswisseph ``` ### Technical Analysis The installation instruction retrieves the latest version of `pyswisseph` resolved by pip without specifying an reviewed version or verifying a cryptographic hash. Consequently, the installed artifact may change over time without corresponding changes to the audited project. Python packages can run installation or imported runtime code with the permissions of the user running pip or the ephemeris script. Exploitation would require the legitimate package, its distribution account, the package registry, or the dependency-resolution path to be compromised. No evidence that `pyswisseph` is currently malicious was identified, and the project does not install the package automatically. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises the relevant package publication or distribution channel and publishes a malicious release. 2. A user follows the documented `pip install pyswisseph` instruction. 3. Pip resolves and installs the attacker-controlled release because no approved version or hash is enforced. 4. Malicious package code executes during installation or when `scripts/ephemeris_helper.py` imports `swisseph`. 5. The payload operates with the permissions and environmental access of the invoking user. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could allow arbitrary Python code execution under the invoking user's account. The resulting access could include files, environment variables, network resources, and other services available to that user. This instruction does not itself provide privilege escalation, persistence, or credential access; any broader impact would depend on the user's existing privileges and the behavior of a compromised dependency.
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Pin `pyswisseph` to a specifically reviewed version instead of resolving the latest available release. 2. Record the dependency in a dedicated requirements or lock file. 3. Require cryptographic hashes for downloaded artifacts, for example: ```text pyswisseph==<reviewed-version> --hash=sha256:<verified-wheel-hash> ``` 4. Install using hash enforcement: ```bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt ``` 5. Generate and verify hashes separately for every supported platform and Python version because wheel artifacts can differ. 6. Periodically review pinned updates, package ownership, release provenance, and published artifacts before changing the approved version. 7. Prefer installation inside an isolated virtual environment with only the permissions required to perform ephemeris calculations.