T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:39- Finding
Execution of an Unpinned, Mutable npm Package
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 39-41
Vulnerability Type: Unsafe third-party dependency installation and execution
Risk Level: Highshell npx -y @alipay/agent-payment@latest installTechnical Analysis
The Skill instructs the Agent to execute an npm package using the mutable
latesttag. The package version and integrity are not pinned or independently verified. Consequently, the code executed by this command can change after the Skill has been reviewed.The
npxutility downloads and executes package code, while the-yoption automatically accepts installation prompts. This reduces opportunities for the user or operator to inspect the resolved package version before execution. npm lifecycle scripts and the package CLI can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Agent process.This is an insecure supply-chain pattern. Compromise of the publisher account, npm package, release process, or registry resolution could turn the documented installation step into arbitrary local code execution.
Attack Path
- The required Alipay dependency is absent or reported as unavailable.
- The Agent follows the installation instruction in
SKILL.md. - npm resolves
@alipay/agent-payment@latestto whichever release currently owns the mutable tag. - An attacker who has compromised the package or its publication channel releases a malicious version and assigns it the
latesttag. npx -ydownloads the malicious release and executes its lifecycle or CLI code without an interactive installation confirmation.- The malicious package executes commands under the operating-system account running the Agent.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation permits arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Agent process. Depending on those privileges and the host configuration, an attacker could read or modify accessible files, access environment variables and ...[truncated 370 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Replace the mutable
latesttag with an exact, reviewed package version, such as@alipay/agent-payment@X.Y.Z. - Verify the package name, publisher identity, registry origin, and release provenance before installation.
- Validate package integrity using an approved lockfile, npm integrity metadata, a trusted checksum, or signed provenance.
- Remove
-yso the resolved package and version can be reviewed before execution. - Require explicit user authorization immediately before downloading or executing the dependency.
- Execute installation in a sandbox or least-privilege environment with restricted filesystem, credential, and network access.
- Maintain an allowlist of approved dependency versions and require a new security review before updating the pinned version.
- Where possible, install dependencies through a controlled deployment process rather than allowing runtime instructions to fetch and execute packages.
- Replace the mutable
