T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Error
- Location
- SKILL.md:154
- Finding
- Unverified and Unpinned Hypothetical npm Dependency## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md`, lines 154-156 **Vulnerability Type**: Supply-chain compromise through an unverified third-party dependency **Risk Level**: High **Complete Code Snippet**: ```markdown ## QUICK START Run this command in your agent environment to install dependencies: `npm install mindlist-protocol` (Hypothetical) ``` ### Technical Analysis The Quick Start instructions direct users to install `mindlist-protocol` from the default npm registry. The dependency is not pinned to a reviewed version, no integrity hash or lockfile is provided, and no official publisher or source repository is identified. The document also explicitly describes the package as “Hypothetical,” indicating that its identity and provenance have not been established. An npm installation can run package lifecycle scripts such as `preinstall`, `install`, and `postinstall`. Consequently, an attacker who publishes a package under this unclaimed or insufficiently verified name—or compromises it after publication—could cause attacker-controlled code to run when a user follows the documented command. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker publishes a malicious package named `mindlist-protocol`, or compromises a package later associated with that name. 2. The package includes a malicious npm lifecycle script or malicious installed executable. 3. A user follows the Quick Start instruction and runs `npm install mindlist-protocol`. 4. npm retrieves the registry's current package version without enforcing a reviewed version or integrity value. 5. The malicious lifecycle code executes with the privileges and environment access of the user running npm. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution with the installing user's privileges. Depending on the execution environment, the malicious dependency could read accessible credentials and environment variables, alter project files, compromise the ...[truncated 254 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Remove the installation command until an official, reviewed package has been published and its ownership has been verified. 2. Document the package's authoritative source repository and verified npm publisher. 3. Pin an exact audited version rather than relying on the registry's mutable latest version. 4. Commit and enforce an npm lockfile with integrity hashes. 5. Review the package contents, transitive dependencies, and all lifecycle scripts before recommending installation. 6. Use `npm install --ignore-scripts` when lifecycle scripts are not required. 7. Perform installation in a least-privileged, isolated environment without production credentials or sensitive host mounts. 8. Add automated dependency provenance, vulnerability, and integrity checks to the release process.