T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
scripts/setup.sh:18- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
scripts/setup.sh, lines 18–25
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned dependency installation from the active pip package index
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
bash # Optional: install Flask for REST API mode read -p "Install Flask to enable the API service? (y/N): " -n 1 -r echo if [[ $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then pip3 install flask echo "Flask installed" else echo "Skipping Flask (CLI/JSON mode remains available)" fiThe comments and displayed messages above are English translations of the original text; the executable vulnerable statement is unchanged:
bash pip3 install flaskTechnical Analysis
The setup script installs Flask without an exact version constraint, cryptographic hash verification, an isolated virtual environment, or a restricted trusted package index. Consequently, the package and its transitive dependencies are resolved dynamically from the invoking user's current pip configuration.
Python package installation may execute package build or installation logic. If the configured index or mirror is compromised, dependency resolution is manipulated, or a future package release is compromised, accepting the installation prompt could cause attacker-controlled code to run locally.
The risk is avoidable because the audited implementation does not contain the advertised Flask API mode:
health_reasoner.pydefines no--apiargument or Flask server. The setup process therefore introduces mutable third-party supply-chain exposure for functionality that is absent from the project.Attack Path
- An attacker compromises or controls a package source used by the victim's pip configuration, or compromises a package release selected during dependency resolution.
- The victim runs
scripts/setup.sh. - The script asks whether Flask should be installed.
- The victim answers
y. pip3 install flaskresolves F ...[truncated 1121 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
-
Remove the Flask installation prompt unless a working and reviewed API implementation is added.
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If Flask is required, declare exact reviewed versions for Flask and every transitive dependency in a lock file.
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Require cryptographic hashes during installation, for example:
bash python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements-api.txt -
Generate
requirements-api.txtfrom a reviewed dependency lock process and include one or more approved hashes for every distribution. -
Create and use a dedicated virtual environment rather than modifying the invoking user's global Python environment:
bash python3 -m venv .venv .venv/bin/python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements-api.txt -
Use an explicitly approved HTTPS package index or internal mirror and prevent unintended fallback to untrusted extra indexes.
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Document the verified Python and dependency versions and regularly review them for published security advisories.
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Implement and security-review the advertised API functionality before offering its dependencies to users.
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