T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:25- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Cargo Package Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, line 25
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned dependency installation from an external package registry
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code Snippet:
markdown Alternatively, install via Cargo: `cargo install sendme`Technical Analysis
The skill recommends installing
sendmefrom the configured Cargo registry without specifying an exact version, requiring a lockfile, validating a checksum, or verifying release provenance. Consequently, the command resolves and compiles whichever package version the registry serves at installation time.Cargo packages can execute package-controlled build scripts during compilation. Therefore, compromise of the package, its publisher account, the configured registry, or a future release could cause unreviewed code to execute before the installed application is used. The audited file does not establish that the current package is malicious; the vulnerability is the absence of controls that make dependency installation reproducible and verifiable.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the relevant package publisher, package release process, or Cargo registry, or otherwise causes a malicious future version of
sendmeto be published. - A user or agent follows the instruction in
SKILL.mdand runscargo install sendme. - Cargo resolves the unpinned package version and downloads attacker-controlled package content.
- Cargo compiles the package and may execute attacker-controlled build scripts with the privileges of the user performing the installation.
- The resulting malicious executable may also run later when the skill invokes
sendmeto send or receive files.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the account running Cargo. This may permit access to that user's files, environment variables, credentials, and network resources, as well as modificati ...[truncated 310 chars]
- An attacker compromises the relevant package publisher, package release process, or Cargo registry, or otherwise causes a malicious future version of
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Pin the dependency to an exact, reviewed release:
bash cargo install sendme --version '<exact-version>' --locked - Document the expected Cargo registry, package identity, publisher, and reviewed version.
- Verify release provenance, signatures, or published checksums before installation.
- Review the package source, transitive dependencies, and build scripts for the pinned release.
- Execute installation under an unprivileged account and avoid installing from administrator or root contexts.
- Prefer a trusted package-manager artifact when it provides stronger provenance and integrity controls.
- Establish a controlled update process in which newer versions are reviewed and tested before changing the pin.
- Pin the dependency to an exact, reviewed release:
