T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
README.md:9- Finding
Unpinned npx Installation Command Executes Mutable Third-Party Code
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
README.md, lines 9–11
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party package and mutable Skill source
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
bash npx skills add ECNU-ICALK/zh-project-proposal-writing-skillTechnical Analysis
The documented installation command invokes the
skillsnpm package throughnpxwithout pinning it to an exact, reviewed version. If that package is not already available locally,npxmay download and execute the currently resolved package version with the invoking user's privileges.The referenced Skill repository is also identified by a mutable repository name rather than an immutable commit, signed release, or verified artifact. Therefore, the content installed in the future may differ from the content reviewed during this audit.
No evidence shows that the current npm package or repository is malicious. The vulnerability is the absence of controls ensuring that users execute the same dependency and Skill revision that were reviewed.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the npm package, its publisher account, the package-resolution path, or the referenced repository.
- The attacker publishes a malicious package version or modifies the mutable Skill source.
- A user follows the installation command from
README.md. npxresolves and may download the compromisedskillspackage.- The package executes during installation with the user's permissions and retrieves or installs the mutable repository content.
- The attacker-controlled code or Skill instructions execute outside the scope of the audited artifact.
This path requires compromise or malicious modification of an external dependency or source. The audited repository itself contains no embedded payload that performs these steps.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the user running the installation command. Depending on that us ...[truncated 534 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
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Pin the CLI package to an exact reviewed version:
bash npx --yes skills@<exact-reviewed-version> add ECNU-ICALK/zh-project-proposal-writing-skill -
Pin the Skill source to an immutable commit hash or signed release if the installer supports that syntax.
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Publish checksums or cryptographic signatures for release artifacts and document how users should verify them before installation.
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Document the expected npm publisher, canonical repository, and reviewed release identifier so users can detect typosquatting or source substitution.
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Use a lockfile-backed or otherwise reproducible installation process where possible.
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Recommend installation from a non-privileged account and avoid running the command with administrator or root permissions.
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Review each dependency update before changing the pinned version.
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