T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:112- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party npm Dependency
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 112–116
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
bash # Install xlsx library npm install xlsxThe installed package is subsequently loaded by
generate_excel_template.js:javascript const XLSX = require('xlsx');Technical Analysis
The documented installation command retrieves the currently resolved release of
xlsxand its transitive dependencies without specifying an exact version. The project also does not include a reviewed package manifest, committed lockfile, or explicit integrity metadata.As a result, installation is not reproducible: users auditing the Skill at different times may receive different dependency code. If the package, a transitive dependency, a maintainer account, or the configured npm registry is compromised, attacker-controlled code could be introduced after this Skill has been reviewed. npm lifecycle scripts may execute during installation, while malicious runtime code could execute when
generate_excel_template.jsimports the package.Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a relevant package release, maintainer account, transitive dependency, or npm registry path.
- The attacker publishes or serves a malicious release that satisfies the unrestricted package request.
- A user follows the instruction
npm install xlsx. - npm resolves and downloads the attacker-controlled release because no exact version or reviewed lockfile constrains resolution.
- Malicious code executes through an installation lifecycle script or later when
require('xlsx')loads the package. - The payload operates with the permissions of the user running npm or the report generator.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution with the invoking user's privileges. The resulting scope may include access to project files, gen ...[truncated 317 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Create a
package.jsonand pinxlsxto a reviewed exact version rather than using a floating dependency specification. - Generate and commit a lockfile containing dependency versions and integrity hashes.
- Replace ad hoc installation instructions with
npm ci, which installs the locked dependency graph without updating resolution. - Review the direct package and all transitive dependencies before updating the lockfile.
- Configure npm to use an approved registry and enforce lockfile integrity in CI.
- Use
npm ci --ignore-scriptswhen dependency lifecycle scripts are not required. - Run the report generator under a least-privileged account with only the filesystem and environment access needed to create the Excel report.
- Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance checks to the release process.
- Create a