T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SETUP.md:14- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SETUP.md, lines 14–18
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned and unverified Python dependency
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
markdown Requires the `requests` Python package: ```bash python3 -m pip install requeststext ### Technical Analysis The setup instructions install `requests` without a version constraint, cryptographic hash verification, lockfile, or isolated virtual environment. Consequently, the installed package and its transitive dependencies are resolved dynamically from the active Python package index at installation time. Although no evidence indicates that the legitimate `requests` package is malicious, this mutable dependency resolution weakens reproducibility and exposes users to supply-chain risks. A compromised package release, compromised package index, malicious index configuration, or unexpected future dependency change could introduce attacker-controlled code after the Skill itself has been reviewed. Python package installation may execute build-backend or source-distribution code. Malicious package code could also execute later when the Skill imports `requests`. ### Attack Path 1. A user follows `SETUP.md` and runs `python3 -m pip install requests`. 2. Pip contacts the configured package index and resolves the latest compatible `requests` package and transitive dependencies. 3. An attacker has compromised a resolved release, dependency, package index, or local pip index configuration. 4. Pip downloads and installs the attacker-controlled artifact without checking a project-supplied expected hash. 5. Malicious code executes during package build or installation, or later when one of the Skill scripts imports the installed package. 6. The code runs with the privileges of the user executing pip or the Skill. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution with the installing user’s privileges. ...[truncated 415 chars]- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
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Pin
requestsand every transitive dependency to reviewed versions in a requirements or lock file. -
Generate and require cryptographic hashes, for example:
text requests==<reviewed-version> --hash=sha256:<verified-hash>Install it using:
bash python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt -
Use a dependency-locking tool that records the complete dependency graph and hashes.
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Install dependencies in a dedicated virtual environment rather than the user or system Python environment.
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Explicitly use a trusted package index and prevent unintended fallback to additional indexes.
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Add automated dependency vulnerability and integrity scanning to the release process.
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Periodically update pinned versions through a controlled review and testing process.
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