T05 · Unauthorized Access and Privilege Escalation
- Location
SKILL.md:294- Finding
Passwordless Root Execution Through Broad npx Sudoers Rules
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 294-301
Vulnerability Type: Excessive privileges through persistent passwordless sudo authorization
Risk Level: HighVulnerable Code:
bash ## Sudoers Setup For Playwright browser installation: # /etc/sudoers.d/playwright username ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/npx playwright install-deps * username ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/npx playwright install *Technical Analysis
The documented sudoers configuration grants an unprivileged account persistent, passwordless permission to run broadly parameterized
npx playwright installandinstall-depscommands as root. The wildcard suffix permits uncontrolled additional arguments, whilenpxintroduces package resolution and package-managed execution into a privileged trust boundary.Elsewhere, the installation guidance uses
npm install -g playwrightwithout pinning or verifying a specific package version. If package resolution, the npm environment, the installed Playwright package, or its installer behavior is compromised, the authorized command can execute that behavior with root privileges. This violates least privilege because browser dependency installation does not require an ongoing passwordless root capability after setup.Attack Path
- A user follows the documentation and creates
/etc/sudoers.d/playwrightwith the supplied rules. - The designated unprivileged account gains persistent permission to invoke the allowed
npx playwrightinstallation commands as root without authentication. - An attacker who controls that account, its npm configuration or resolution environment, or a package component reached by the authorized command prepares compromised package or installer behavior.
- The attacker invokes an authorized command with
sudo, including any permitted wildcard arguments. - The package-managed installation logic executes in the root security context.
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- A user follows the documentation and creates
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Remove the proposed persistent
NOPASSWDsudoers rules. - Install required operating-system dependencies once through an administrator-controlled provisioning process rather than granting the automation account ongoing elevation.
- Pin Playwright to an explicitly reviewed version and use a lockfile or other integrity controls where applicable.
- Avoid running
npxas root because it combines package resolution and execution in a privileged context. - If elevation is operationally unavoidable, create a root-owned, non-writable wrapper that invokes a trusted absolute executable with a fixed package version and fixed arguments.
- Authorize only that wrapper in sudoers, without wildcard arguments, arbitrary environment preservation, or user-controlled paths.
- Validate the sudoers policy with
visudo, restrict the entry to the minimum required account and host, and remove it immediately after provisioning. - Perform browser installation in an isolated container or prebuilt image where possible, limiting any compromise to a disposable environment.
- Remove the proposed persistent