T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:47- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependencies Create a Supply-Chain Risk
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:47-48
Vulnerability Type:T08: Insecure Dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
bash Install: pip3 install python-docx olefile PillowTechnical Analysis
The documented installation command installs three third-party packages without exact version constraints, integrity hashes, or a lockfile. Consequently, the code installed in the future may differ from the dependencies that existed when this Skill was audited.
Python package installation may execute package-controlled build or installation logic. In addition, imported package code executes when the Skill scripts run. If a named package, configured package index, or dependency in the transitive dependency graph is compromised, an attacker could supply malicious code without modifying this repository.
No malicious dependency, unsafe package source, or active compromise was identified during this audit. The finding concerns the absence of dependency provenance and integrity controls.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a named dependency, one of its transitive dependencies, or the Python package index configured in the target environment.
- The attacker publishes a malicious release that remains compatible with the unconstrained package names.
- A user follows the installation instructions and runs
pip3 install python-docx olefile Pillow. pipresolves and downloads the attacker-controlled package version.- Malicious code executes during package installation or when one of the scripts imports the compromised package.
- The payload operates with the privileges of the user running
pipor the document-processing script.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution under the installing or executing user's account. Depending on that account's privileges, the attacker could read or alter accessible documents, extract credent ...[truncated 346 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Replace the unconstrained installation command with a reviewed dependency manifest containing exact versions.
- Generate and verify cryptographic hashes for all direct and transitive packages, then install with:
bash python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt - Use a lockfile-producing dependency-management tool to make transitive resolution reproducible.
- Download dependencies only from an explicitly trusted package index or an internally controlled artifact repository.
- Install dependencies inside a dedicated virtual environment and avoid running
pipas root or with administrator privileges. - Periodically scan pinned dependencies for known vulnerabilities and update them through a controlled review process.
- Consider using prebuilt, signed, and internally verified artifacts where stronger supply-chain assurance is required.