T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:14- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, line 14
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency
Risk Level: LowVulnerable Code
bash pip3 install python-docxTechnical Analysis
The installation instruction asks pip to retrieve and install
python-docxwithout specifying a reviewed version or verifying an integrity hash. As a result, the installed artifact depends on the package index and package version available when the command is run.The referenced package name is consistent with the library imported by
scripts/md2word.py; there is no evidence of typosquatting or a deliberately malicious dependency. Nevertheless, the absence of version and integrity controls creates supply-chain exposure. A compromised upstream release, compromised package index, or attacker-controlled pip index configuration could cause unreviewed package code to be installed. Python packages may execute code during installation, and installed modules execute code when imported.Attack Path
- A user follows the documented setup command.
- Pip resolves
python-docxthrough the user's configured package index without a version or hash constraint. - An attacker must first compromise the upstream distribution channel or influence the user's pip index configuration.
- Pip downloads and installs the attacker-controlled or otherwise unreviewed distribution.
- Malicious code may execute during package installation or when
md2word.pyimports thedocxpackage.
This path is conditional on a supply-chain or package-index compromise; the audited project does not itself redirect pip to an attacker-controlled source.
Impact Assessment
If dependency resolution is successfully compromised, code could execute with the privileges of the user running pip or the conversion script. Potential effects include access to that user's readable files, modification of user-writable data, credential theft from accessible locations, and further net ...[truncated 236 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Pin
python-docxto a reviewed, exact version in a dependency file. - Generate and verify cryptographic hashes for the package and all transitive dependencies.
- Install dependencies from a trusted, explicitly configured package index.
- Use an isolated virtual environment rather than modifying the system Python environment.
- Periodically review and deliberately update the lock file after vulnerability and compatibility testing.
Example installation approach:
bash python3 -m venv .venv . .venv/bin/activate python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txtThe corresponding
requirements.txtshould contain an exact version and verified SHA-256 hashes for every resolved distribution.- Pin
