T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:57- Finding
Unpinned Runtime Dependency Installation
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:57
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency installation
Risk Level: Mediumbash C:\Users\admin\.workbuddy\binaries\python\versions\3.13.12\python.exe -m pip install python-docx --target C:\Users\admin\.workbuddy\binaries\python\envs\default\Lib\site-packagesTechnical Analysis
The installation command requests
python-docxwithout an exact version, cryptographic hash, lockfile, or explicit trusted package index. Consequently, the artifact installed when the command is run may differ from the dependency that existed when this project was audited.Python package installation can execute package build or installation logic. Imported package code also executes with the privileges of the Python process. A future compromised release, compromised distribution account, manipulated package index, or unsafe index configured in the local pip environment could therefore introduce code that is not present in this repository.
The reviewed generator itself does not retrieve remote payloads, invoke shell commands, access credentials, establish persistence, or contain embedded malicious behavior. The risk is limited to the documented dependency acquisition process.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the package release process, package distribution account, configured package index, or another part of the dependency delivery chain.
- The attacker publishes or serves a malicious artifact under the dependency name.
- A user follows the documented unpinned installation command.
- Pip resolves the dependency to the attacker-controlled or compromised artifact because no reviewed version or hash is enforced.
- Malicious code executes during package installation, package build processing, or a later import by
scripts/generate_handbook.py.
Impact Assessment
Malicious dependency code would execute with the privileges of the user running pip ...[truncated 473 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Pin
python-docxto an exact version that has been reviewed and tested. - Place the dependency in a lock or requirements file and enforce cryptographic hashes with
pip install --require-hashes. - Pin and hash all transitive dependencies, not only the top-level package.
- Use an explicitly approved HTTPS package index or an internally controlled artifact repository.
- Install dependencies in a dedicated, non-privileged virtual environment rather than a shared interpreter environment.
- Prevent local or environment-level pip configuration from silently substituting untrusted indexes.
- Add automated dependency vulnerability and integrity scanning to the release process.
- Replace the documented command with a hardened installation flow, such as:
bash python -m pip install --require-hashes --index-url https://pypi.org/simple -r requirements.lock- Pin
