T03 · Remote Payload Retrieval and Execution
- Location
SKILL.md:187- Finding
Root-Level Execution of a Mutable Remote Installation Script
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:187-190
Vulnerability Type: Remote payload retrieval and execution
Risk Level: HighVulnerable Code Snippet:
bash # Windows: download from https://rclone.org/install/ # Linux curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bashTechnical Analysis
The documentation directs users to retrieve a mutable script from an external URL and immediately execute it through a privileged shell. The downloaded content is neither pinned to a specific version nor verified using a locally trusted checksum or cryptographic signature.
HTTPS protects the connection in transit, but it does not protect against compromise of the upstream server, release infrastructure, domain, signing account, or other trusted distribution components. Because the response is streamed directly to
sudo bash, the user cannot inspect the effective payload before execution.Although this command appears in instructions for configuring rclone on another machine rather than in the primary installer, commands presented by a Skill are part of its effective execution workflow.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the remote installer, its hosting infrastructure, or another trusted part of its delivery chain.
- The response served by
https://rclone.org/install.shis changed to contain malicious shell commands. - A user follows the Skill documentation and runs the provided pipeline.
curlstreams the attacker-controlled response directly intosudo bash.- The malicious payload executes with root privileges before the user can review it.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation provides arbitrary command execution as root. The resulting payload could read or alter credentials and files belonging to all users, install persistent services, modify system binaries, weaken access controls, or fully compromise the host.
The privilege level substantially exceeds what is ne ...[truncated 121 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Remove the direct
curl | sudo bashinstruction. - Prefer an operating-system package manager or a user-local installation that does not require root.
- If a downloaded release is necessary, pin it to a specific version and immutable URL.
- Publish and verify a cryptographic signature or checksum obtained through an independently trusted channel.
- Download the artifact to disk first, verify it, and allow the user to inspect it before execution.
- Explicitly document the files and privileges required by the installation procedure.
- Remove the direct
