T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Warning
- Location
- package.json:5
- Finding
- Unpinned Dependency Without a Lockfile Enables Supply-Chain Drift## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `package.json:5-7` **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned third-party dependency and non-reproducible installation **Risk Level**: Medium The affected dependency declaration is: ```json "dependencies": { "axios": "^1.6.0" } ``` The installation instructions in `SKILL.md:103` and `SKILL.md:110` direct users to run: ```bash npm install ``` ### Technical Analysis The caret constraint permits npm to select later compatible Axios releases rather than the exact version reviewed with this project. The project also has no committed `package-lock.json`, so Axios and its transitive dependency graph are not locked to verified package versions and integrity hashes. As a result, two installations performed at different times may install different code. If an allowed future dependency release or transitive package is compromised, malicious code could enter the installation without any change to this repository. npm package lifecycle scripts may execute during installation, while compromised runtime code loaded through `require('axios')` would execute with the privileges of the Node.js process. This finding does not establish that the currently declared Axios package is malicious. The risk arises from mutable dependency resolution and the absence of a reproducible, integrity-locked installation process. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises a future Axios release accepted by `^1.6.0`, or compromises a transitive dependency selected by npm. 2. A user follows the documented instruction and runs `npm install`. 3. Because no lockfile fixes versions and integrity hashes, npm resolves and downloads the compromised package version. 4. Malicious lifecycle code may execute during installation, or malicious runtime code may execute when `scripts/search.js` loads Axios. 5. The compromised code then operates with the permissions of the installing or executing user and may access process da ...[truncated 685 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Pin Axios to a reviewed exact version instead of using a caret range: ```json "axios": "1.6.0" ``` Prefer the latest security-supported version after compatibility and vulnerability review. 2. Generate and commit a `package-lock.json` containing resolved versions and integrity hashes. 3. Update installation documentation to use `npm ci` rather than `npm install`, ensuring that installation fails if the manifest and lockfile differ. 4. Review dependency updates through controlled pull requests and inspect lockfile changes before merging. 5. Run dependency vulnerability and provenance checks in CI, such as `npm audit` and appropriate software-composition-analysis tooling. 6. Where compatible with deployment requirements, install with lifecycle scripts disabled: ```bash npm ci --ignore-scripts ``` 7. Execute installation and the Skill under a dedicated, least-privileged account or sandbox with restricted filesystem and network access.