T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Warning
- Location
SKILL.md:50- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 50-54
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency
Risk Level: Mediummarkdown ## Dependencies ```bash pip install python-pptxtext ### Technical Analysis The documented installation command retrieves `python-pptx` without specifying a reviewed version or verifying package integrity with cryptographic hashes. Consequently, package resolution is mutable: running the same command at different times may install different versions of the direct dependency and its transitive dependencies. Python package installation may execute package-controlled build or installation logic. If the package distribution, publisher account, package index, or a transitive dependency is compromised, following this instruction could execute attacker-controlled code under the privileges of the user running `pip`. The absence of a lock file and integrity hashes also prevents reliable verification that installed artifacts match versions reviewed by the project maintainers. This finding does not establish that the current `python-pptx` package is malicious. It identifies an avoidable supply-chain exposure caused by installing an unpinned package from a mutable source. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises a relevant package publisher, distribution channel, or transitive dependency and publishes a malicious or backdoored release. 2. A user follows the setup instruction and runs `pip install python-pptx`. 3. Because no version or artifact hash is constrained, `pip` resolves and downloads the affected release. 4. Malicious package build or installation logic executes in the user's environment, or backdoored runtime code executes when the PowerPoint library is imported and used. 5. The payload gains the same effective permissions as the invoking process and can access resources available to that user. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could permi ...[truncated 526 chars]- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Pin
python-pptxto an explicitly reviewed version rather than resolving the latest release:text python-pptx==<reviewed-version> - Maintain dependencies in a lock file or requirements file that also fixes transitive versions.
- Require cryptographic hashes during installation, such as with a hash-locked requirements file and
pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt. - Generate hashes only after obtaining and reviewing packages through a trusted package index or controlled internal mirror.
- Install dependencies in an isolated virtual environment using a non-privileged account; do not run
pipas root or an administrator. - Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance scanning, and update pins through a controlled review process.
- Document the exact supported Python and dependency versions to make installation reproducible.
- Pin