T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
scripts/build_design_doc.py:4- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
scripts/build_design_doc.py, line 4
Vulnerability Type:T08: Insecure Dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
text Dependency: pip install python-docxThe script documentation directs users to install
python-docxwithout specifying an approved version, dependency lock file, package hash, or trusted package repository. Consequently, installation resolves mutable package content from the user's configured Python package index.Technical Analysis
An unpinned installation can retrieve a future package version that was not present during this audit. It also inherits the security of the configured package index and all transitively resolved dependencies. If the upstream package, a transitive dependency, the package-index account, or the user's index configuration is compromised, following this instruction could install attacker-controlled content.
Exploitation is contingent upon compromise or manipulation of the dependency supply chain; the audited project does not itself host or retrieve a known malicious payload. Nevertheless, the instruction lacks controls that would ensure users install the same reviewed artifacts on every system.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a relevant package release, transitive dependency, package-index account, or package source configured on the victim's system.
- The user follows the documented installation command without a pinned version or integrity hashes.
- Package resolution selects the attacker-controlled or unexpectedly changed artifact.
- Malicious installation behavior executes during package installation, or malicious code executes when the generated script imports the package.
- The payload operates with the privileges of the user running
pipor the document-generation script.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution under the installing us ...[truncated 564 chars]
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Pin
python-docxto a reviewed exact version rather than installing the latest available release. - Maintain dependencies in a lock file that also fixes all transitive dependency versions.
- Require package hashes, such as through a hash-locked requirements file and
pip install --require-hashes. - Specify and enforce an approved package index rather than inheriting arbitrary user or environment index configuration.
- Install dependencies inside an isolated virtual environment without administrator or root privileges.
- Scan locked dependencies regularly with a software composition analysis tool and update them through a reviewed process.
- Replace the current instruction with a reproducible command, for example:
text python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.lockThe lock file should contain the reviewed exact version and cryptographic hashes for every required distribution.
- Pin