T09 · Insecure Skill Coding Practices
- Location
finance_toolkit/kds_strategy.py:1- Finding
Unauthenticated Adjacent Python File Execution
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
finance_toolkit/kds_strategy.py, line 1
Vulnerability Type: Arbitrary local code execution through dynamic loading of an untrusted adjacent file
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
python import sys, os as _os _b = _os.path.join _p = _b( _os.path.dirname(__file__) if '__file__' in dir() else '.', 'python_bridge.py' ) exec(compile(open(_p).read(), _p, 'exec')) if ( _os.path.exists(_p) and 'msys64' in getattr(sys, 'executable', '') ) else NoneThe source file is stored as a single minified physical line. The snippet above preserves the complete vulnerable statement while formatting it for readability.
Technical Analysis
When the module is imported or executed under an MSYS64 Python environment, it checks whether a file named
python_bridge.pyexists besidekds_strategy.py. If present, the file is read, compiled, and executed directly in the current Python process.The code performs no validation of the adjacent file's origin, ownership, permissions, contents, or cryptographic integrity. Moreover,
python_bridge.pyis not part of the audited project. Consequently, the effective behavior of the module can be changed after review merely by placing a new file at the expected path.Although exploitation requires the attacker to gain write access to the package directory or influence how the project is deployed, use of
exec()turns that local file-placement condition into arbitrary Python execution. The payload runs with the same process privileges and environment access as the user importing the module.Attack Path
- The victim installs or extracts the project in a location where the attacker, another local user, a compromised installer, or an unsafe deployment process can create or replace files.
- The attacker creates
finance_toolkit/python_bridge.pycontaining malicious Python code. - The victim runs or imports ...[truncated 1181 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Remove the dynamic
open()/compile()/exec()sequence entirely. - If bridge functionality is required, include the bridge implementation as a reviewed package module and import it normally:
python from . import python_bridge - Do not load executable code merely because a file with an expected name exists beside the package.
- If runtime plugin loading is an unavoidable design requirement:
- Load only from a fixed, administrator-controlled directory.
- Reject writable-by-untrusted-user files and directories.
- Verify the file against a pinned cryptographic hash or authenticated signature.
- Execute plugins in a restricted subprocess with minimal filesystem, environment, and network access.
- Require explicit user configuration rather than automatic execution during import.
- Avoid import-time side effects. Place environment compatibility logic in an explicit entry-point function.
- Add a security regression test confirming that an unexpected adjacent
python_bridge.pyis never executed.
- Remove the dynamic