T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
setup.py:10- Finding
Installation Uses Mutable, Unverified Third-Party Dependencies
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
setup.py:10-13
Additional Location:package.json:9-12
Vulnerability Type: Supply-chain exposure through unpinned dependencies and an automatic installation lifecycle
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
setup.py:10-13:python install_requires=[ "click>=8.0.0", "rich>=13.0.0", ],package.json:9-12:json "scripts": { "test": "python3 src/learning_cli.py --help", "install": "pip install -e ." },Technical Analysis
The project specifies mutable dependency ranges rather than exact, reviewed versions and does not provide a lock file or cryptographic package hashes. Therefore,
pip install -e .resolves whichever future versions satisfy the declared constraints from the user's configured package index.In addition, the npm
installlifecycle automatically invokes pip. A user runningnpm installmay consequently trigger Python dependency resolution and package installation without separately reviewing or authorizing that step.This does not establish that the currently named dependencies are malicious. The risk is that the effective installation payload can change after this project has been reviewed. A compromised upstream release, package-index account, mirror, or dependency-resolution environment could introduce attacker-controlled installation or runtime code.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises an upstream dependency release, its publisher account, or a package index or mirror used by the victim.
- The attacker publishes a version of
clickorrichthat satisfies the project's open-ended minimum-version constraint. - A user follows the documented
pip install -e .procedure or runsnpm install, which invokes that command through the install lifecycle. - Pip resolves and downloads the compromised version because no exact version or expected hash is enforced.
- Malicious packa ...[truncated 728 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Pin each direct dependency to an exact, reviewed version rather than using an unrestricted minimum version.
- Generate a lock or constraints file that also fixes transitive dependency versions.
- Record cryptographic hashes and install with
pip install --require-hashesin reproducible deployment workflows. - Use an approved package index or internal mirror and monitor upstream packages for compromise and security advisories.
- Remove the npm
installlifecycle hook unless automatic Python installation is essential. Prefer a clearly documented, explicit setup command. - Run installation as an unprivileged user inside an isolated virtual environment.
- Add automated dependency review and vulnerability scanning to the release process, updating pins only after validation.