T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
README.md:28- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Package Execution via npx
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
README.md, line 28
Vulnerability Type:T08: Insecure Dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
bash npx @skill-hub/cli install red-team --agent claude clawhub install red-teamTechnical Analysis
The installation documentation instructs users to execute
@skill-hub/clithroughnpxwithout specifying an exact reviewed version or integrity value. If the package is not already available locally,npxcan retrieve it from the configured npm registry and immediately execute its code.Because the command references a mutable package name rather than a fixed, verified artifact, the code executed by users may differ from the code that existed when this project was audited. A compromised package release, publishing account, registry configuration, or dependency in the package's transitive dependency graph could introduce malicious installation behavior.
This finding concerns the documented installation path. No malicious code was found in the audited project itself.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the
@skill-hub/clipackage, its publisher account, or a dependency resolved during installation. - The attacker publishes a malicious package version under the expected package name.
- A user follows the installation command in
README.md. npxresolves and downloads the mutable package version from the configured registry.- The downloaded package code executes with the operating-system privileges of the user running the command.
- The malicious package could access or modify any files, credentials, processes, or network resources available to that user.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution under the invoking user's account. The accessible scope would be limited by that account's privileges and host-level controls, but could include project files, user-readable credentials and c ...[truncated 363 chars]
- An attacker compromises the
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Replace the mutable package reference with an exact, reviewed version, for example
npx @skill-hub/cli@X.Y.Z .... - Document the package's official registry and source repository so users can verify provenance.
- Publish and verify package integrity metadata or cryptographic signatures where the distribution system supports them.
- Review the pinned package and its transitive dependencies before recommending execution.
- Use a lockfile and reproducible installation process when integrating the CLI into automated workflows.
- Run installation with a minimally privileged account or in an isolated environment without production credentials.
- Add a documented upgrade process requiring review before changing the pinned version.
- Replace the mutable package reference with an exact, reviewed version, for example
