T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:29- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Python Dependency
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, line 29
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned and unverifiable third-party dependency
Risk Level: Mediumbash pip install requestsTechnical Analysis
The installation command resolves and installs the current version of
requestsfrom the package index configured in the user's environment. The project does not specify an audited version, verify distribution hashes, provide a lockfile, or explicitly select a trusted package index.Consequently, installations are not reproducible and may retrieve dependency versions that were not reviewed with the skill. The risk becomes exploitable if the configured index is malicious or compromised, package resolution is redirected, or a future dependency release is compromised.
Attack Path
- A user follows the Quick Start instructions and executes
pip install requests. pipcontacts the package index configured in the user's environment.- The resolver selects the latest compatible, unrestricted release and its transitive dependencies.
- If the selected distribution or package index has been compromised, attacker-controlled package installation logic or runtime code is installed.
- The malicious code executes with the privileges of the user running
pip, either during installation or when the dependency is imported by the skill.
This path requires compromise or manipulation of the dependency supply chain; the reviewed file does not itself contain a malicious package or index URL.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the installing user. This may expose files, environment variables, application credentials, and network resources accessible to that account. If installation is performed from a privileged environment, the impact may extend to system-wide Python packages and other users or applications relying on that environment.
The reviewed project contains no implement ...[truncated 90 chars]
- A user follows the Quick Start instructions and executes
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Pin
requestsand all transitive dependencies to versions that have been reviewed and tested. - Store dependency declarations in a requirements or lock file rather than relying on an unrestricted interactive installation command.
- Generate and verify cryptographic hashes for every resolved distribution, such as by using
pip install --require-hashes. - Explicitly use a trusted package index and prevent fallback to untrusted or unintended indexes.
- Install dependencies inside a dedicated virtual environment with ordinary user privileges.
- Add automated dependency vulnerability and integrity scanning to the release process.
- Update the documentation to use a reproducible command, for example:
bash python3 -m venv .venv . .venv/bin/activate python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt- Pin
