T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
references/websocket-streams.md:32- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Python Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
references/websocket-streams.md:32
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Snippet:
text Python equivalent needs a library (`pip install websockets`):Technical Analysis
The documentation instructs the user or executing Agent to install the third-party
websocketspackage without specifying a reviewed version, cryptographic hashes, a lock file, an isolated environment, or an explicitly trusted package index.Consequently, the package resolved by
pipdepends on mutable package-registry state at installation time. If the legitimate publisher account or package registry is compromised, or if a future package release is malicious, following this instruction could introduce attacker-controlled code into the environment. Python packages can execute code during installation or when subsequently imported by the documented WebSocket example.This is a supply-chain weakness rather than evidence that the current
websocketspackage is malicious.Attack Path
- An attacker compromises the package publisher, distribution channel, or package registry and publishes a malicious release under the expected package name.
- A user or Agent follows the Skill documentation and runs
pip install websockets. - Because no version or hash is pinned,
pipresolves and downloads the attacker-controlled release. - Malicious code executes during package installation or when the package is imported by the example.
- The payload operates with the privileges of the user or process that performed the installation.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could result in arbitrary code execution within the installation or runtime environment. The attacker could access files, environment variables, network resources, and credentials available to that user, modify Python environments, or tamper with subsequent ...[truncated 360 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Pin the dependency to a specifically reviewed version rather than installing the latest available release.
- Record cryptographic hashes in a requirements file and enforce them with
pip --require-hashes. - Install the dependency in a dedicated virtual environment with no unnecessary privileges.
- Use an explicitly configured and trusted package index.
- Periodically review the pinned version for disclosed vulnerabilities and update it through a controlled process.
Example hardened installation workflow:
text # requirements.txt websockets==<reviewed-version> \ --hash=sha256:<verified-distribution-hash> python -m venv .venv .venv/bin/python -m pip install \ --index-url https://pypi.org/simple \ --require-hashes \ -r requirements.txtThe documentation should direct users to this reproducible installation process instead of the unpinned
pip install websocketscommand.