T03 · Remote Payload Retrieval and Execution
Error
- Location
- SKILL.md:29
- Finding
- Unverified Remote Installer Is Piped Directly Into a Shell## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md`, line 29 **Vulnerability Type**: Remote payload retrieval and execution **Risk Level**: Critical **Complete Code Snippet**: ```bash curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/higgsfield-ai/cli/main/install.sh | sh ``` ### Technical Analysis The bootstrap instructions download a shell script from the mutable `main` branch of an external GitHub repository and execute the response immediately through `sh`. The command does not pin the installer to a release or immutable commit, verify a cryptographic signature or checksum, save the script for inspection, or request explicit user approval before execution. HTTPS protects the response in transit but does not establish that every future version of the upstream script is safe. Compromise of the repository, maintainer account, publishing workflow, or referenced installer dependencies could change the effective payload after this Skill has been reviewed. Installing the CLI may be necessary for the declared facial-model training workflow, but arbitrary remote shell execution exceeds the minimum privilege required. A safer installation method can install a specific, verified CLI release without granting mutable upstream content immediate shell execution. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises the upstream repository, maintainer account, release workflow, or another component capable of modifying `install.sh` on the `main` branch. 2. The attacker replaces or augments the installer with malicious shell commands. 3. A target invokes the Skill on a system where `higgsfield` is not present on `$PATH`. 4. The Agent follows the mandatory bootstrap instruction and retrieves the current attacker-controlled response. 5. The pipe sends that response directly to `sh` without integrity verification or inspection. 6. The malicious commands execute with all permissions available to the Agent's operating-system account. ### Impact As ...[truncated 804 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Remove the direct `curl | sh` bootstrap command. 2. Prefer a trusted package manager or an official, version-pinned release package. 3. Pin downloads to an immutable release version or commit rather than the mutable `main` branch. 4. Publish and verify a cryptographic signature or trusted checksum before execution. 5. Download the installer to a local file first, validate it, and allow inspection before running it. 6. Obtain explicit user approval before installing software or executing an installer. 7. Run installation with the least-privileged account and avoid privilege elevation unless it is strictly necessary and separately approved. 8. Fail closed when signature, checksum, expected origin, or version verification does not succeed.
