T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
README.md:47- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Python Dependency
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
README.md, lines 47-51
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned dependency installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
markdown ### 3. Install Python dependency ```bash pip install openaitext ### Technical Analysis The documented setup procedure installs the `openai` package without specifying a reviewed version, lock file, package hash, or trusted package index. Consequently, the exact code installed depends on the package version and index configuration available when the command is executed. This creates a supply-chain exposure: a compromised future release, compromised transitive dependency, or attacker-controlled package index could cause users to install unintended code. The issue does not demonstrate that the current `openai` package is malicious; the risk arises because the installation process does not provide reproducibility or integrity verification. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises a future package release, one of its transitive dependencies, or a package source configured in the victim's pip environment. 2. A user follows the project documentation and executes `pip install openai`. 3. Pip resolves and downloads the attacker-controlled or compromised package because no version or integrity hash is enforced. 4. Malicious package code executes during installation or when `scripts/web_search.py` imports and uses the package. 5. The code runs with the permissions of the user or service account operating OpenClaw. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could result in arbitrary code execution under the account performing installation or running the skill. Depending on that account's permissions, an attacker could access application data and environment variables, including `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY`, alter user-accessible files, tamper with other skills, or make unauthorized network requests. The issue does no ...[truncated 181 chars]- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
-
Create a dependency lock or requirements file that pins the reviewed
openaiversion and all relevant transitive dependencies. -
Generate and record cryptographic hashes for every package artifact.
-
Install dependencies with hash verification, for example:
bash python3 -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt -
Use an explicitly configured, trusted package index and prevent fallback to untrusted or organization-internal indexes where dependency confusion may occur.
-
Regularly scan pinned dependencies for known vulnerabilities and update them through a controlled review process.
-
Install and run the skill in an isolated virtual environment or container under a least-privileged service account.
-
Avoid exposing unrelated secrets and sensitive filesystem locations to the skill runtime.
-