T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:266- Finding
Unpinned npm Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:266
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
javascript // npm install pinoTechnical Analysis
The Skill recommends installing
pinowithout specifying an exact version, lockfile, integrity hash, or trusted registry. Consequently, the package resolved at installation time can differ from the version originally reviewed.This creates supply-chain exposure if the package, one of its transitive dependencies, or the configured npm registry is compromised. npm installation can execute package lifecycle scripts, so malicious package content may run before the dependency is used by the example application.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a future package release, a transitive dependency, or the package source used by the environment.
- A user or Agent follows the instruction and runs
npm install pino. - npm resolves the current unpinned dependency graph rather than a previously reviewed version.
- Malicious lifecycle code executes during installation, or malicious library code executes when the application imports and uses the package.
- The payload operates with the privileges and environmental access of the process performing the installation or running the application.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution under the installing user's account. The resulting access may include readable source code, log files, environment variables, application credentials, and files writable by that account. The Skill does not request elevated privileges, so the direct impact is normally limited to the privileges of the user or Agent executing the command.
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Specify an exact, reviewed package version rather than installing the latest release implicitly.
- Commit and enforce a lockfile containing dependency versions and npm integrity metadata.
- Use
npm cifor reproducible installation from the reviewed lockfile. - Configure an approved registry and prevent unexpected registry overrides.
- Review transitive dependencies and package lifecycle scripts before installation.
- Run dependency installation in a restricted, non-privileged environment without production credentials.
- Add automated supply-chain scanning and update dependencies through reviewed change requests.
