T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Error
- Location
SKILL.md:45- Finding
Unpinned Package Is Downloaded and Executed Through npx
- Content
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- Remediation
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Security audit
Pipeworx fda
Security checks for vulnerabilities and agentic risk
Overview
The skill’s FDA search purpose is coherent, but installing it can run mutable npm code via npx and sends health-related search terms to a third-party gateway without clear privacy disclosure.
Review this skill before installing. Avoid sending patient identifiers, secrets, proprietary research terms, or other sensitive health-related information through it. Prefer a pinned mcp-remote version or a controlled/self-hosted setup if you need stronger supply-chain and privacy assurances.
Vulnerability Patterns
- Insecure DependenciesIntroduces malicious components through unsafe dependency sources
- Skill Instruction HijackingAlters the agent's session goals or safety constraints when the skill loads
- Agent Memory PoisoningWrites attacker-controlled rules into memory that affect later sessions
- Remote Payload Retrieval and ExecutionFetches external code whose behavior can change after review
- Embedded Malicious CodeShips malicious scripts inside the skill and executes them locally
Findings (2)
other
Warning
- Location
SKILL.md:35- Finding
Health-Related Search Queries Are Disclosed to a Third-Party Gateway
- Content
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- Remediation
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Vulnerability Patterns
- Data ExfiltrationExternal Transmission, Env Variable Harvesting, File System Enumeration
- Prompt InjectionInstruction Override, Hidden Instructions, Exfiltration Commands
- Privilege EscalationExcessive Permissions, Sudo/Root Execution, Credential Access
- Supply ChainUnpinned Dependencies, External Script Fetching, Obfuscated Code
- Excessive AgencyUnrestricted Tool Access, Autonomous Decision Making, Scope Creep
Findings (2)
External Transmission
Medium
- Category
- Data Exfiltration
- Confidence
- 95% confidence
- Finding
The skill is explicitly configured to POST user-supplied query data to an external remote endpoint, which creates a real external transmission path. While the service appears to be the intended backend for accessing FDA data, any sensitive terms entered by a user would be exposed to the third-party gateway and potentially its logs or downstream systems.
- Content
Example: adverse events for metformin
bash curl -s -X POST https://gateway.pipeworx.io/fda/mcp \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/call","params":{"name":"search_drug_events","arguments":{"query":"metformin","limit":3}}}'
Missing User Warnings
Low
- Category
- Not specified by scanner
- Confidence
- 90% confidence
- Finding
The documentation shows example usage that sends user queries to a third-party Pipeworx gateway, but it does not clearly warn users that their inputs are transmitted off-host over the network. This can create an unintended data disclosure risk if users assume the skill operates only on public FDA data locally and submit sensitive prompts, identifiers, or internal research terms.
- Content