T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Warning
- Location
- scripts/requirements.txt:1
- Finding
- Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Permits Unreviewed Package Updates## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `scripts/requirements.txt:1` **Related Locations**: `SKILL.md:60-64`, `references/usage_guide.md:5-10` **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned third-party dependency **Risk Level**: Medium **Complete Vulnerable Code Snippet**: ```text python-docx ``` The dependency is installed through the following documented command: ```bash pip install -r scripts/requirements.txt ``` ### Technical Analysis The `python-docx` dependency is specified without an exact version or cryptographic integrity hash. Consequently, each installation may resolve to whichever compatible release is available from the configured package index at that time rather than to a version that was reviewed during this audit. This creates a supply-chain exposure if the upstream package, one of its transitive dependencies, the configured package index, or the dependency-resolution environment is compromised. It also prevents reproducible installation and allows future package changes to enter the execution environment without a corresponding change to this project. The audit found no evidence that `python-docx` itself is malicious and no evidence of dependency confusion or typosquatting in the current package name. The risk arises from unrestricted future dependency resolution rather than from a confirmed malicious package payload. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises a future package release, a transitive dependency, or the package index used by the victim. 2. A user follows the documented instruction and runs `pip install -r scripts/requirements.txt`. 3. Because no version or hash is enforced, pip resolves and installs the compromised package content. 4. Malicious package installation logic or imported runtime code executes under the user's account. 5. The payload can access resources available to that account, subject to operating-system and environment restrictions. ### Impact Assessment Successfu ...[truncated 458 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Pin `python-docx` to a reviewed exact version: ```text python-docx==REVIEWED_VERSION ``` 2. Generate and verify cryptographic hashes for the pinned package and all transitive dependencies, then install with: ```bash pip install --require-hashes -r scripts/requirements.txt ``` 3. Use a lock-generation tool such as `pip-tools` to produce a reproducible dependency set that includes transitive dependencies. 4. Retrieve packages only from a trusted, explicitly configured package index or an internally controlled artifact repository. 5. Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance scanning to the release process. 6. Review and update pinned dependencies through a controlled process rather than permitting automatic resolution to arbitrary future releases. 7. Perform dependency installation and document processing in a least-privileged isolated environment.