T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:154- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependencies Permit Supply-Chain Compromise
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:154
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned runtime dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
bash pip install pandas numpy matplotlib seaborn reportlab python-docx openpyxl scipyTechnical Analysis
The documented installation command retrieves eight third-party packages without exact version constraints, package hashes, a lock file, or an explicitly trusted package index. Consequently, the installed artifacts can change between installations even when the project itself has not changed.
Python packages may execute code during installation or when imported. If a dependency release or package-distribution account is compromised, following this instruction could install attacker-controlled code. The risk also includes unexpected security regressions and incompatible releases, although the primary security concern is supply-chain integrity.
This finding does not establish that any currently named package is malicious. It identifies the absence of controls that ensure users receive the dependency versions reviewed and tested by the project.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the release process, distribution account, or upstream source of one of the listed dependencies.
- The attacker publishes a malicious or backdoored version under the legitimate package name.
- A user follows the installation command in
SKILL.md. pipresolves the dependency to the attacker-controlled release because no approved version or hash is specified.- Malicious code executes during installation or when the reporting application imports the affected package.
Impact Assessment
Successfully exploited package code executes with the privileges of the user running
pipor the report generator. Depending on those privileges, it could read or modify accessible files, steal environment credentials, alter generated reports, make network connections, or exec ...[truncated 124 chars]- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Create a reviewed dependency lock file containing exact versions and cryptographic hashes.
- Install dependencies with hash verification, for example:
bash pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt - Generate and review the lock file using a controlled process such as
pip-compile --generate-hashes. - Configure an explicitly approved package index or internal artifact repository rather than relying on ambient
pipconfiguration. - Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance scanning to the release process.
- Periodically update pinned dependencies through reviewed pull requests rather than allowing automatic resolution during installation.
- Install and run the project in an isolated, least-privileged virtual environment or container.
