T03 · Remote Payload Retrieval and Execution
- Location
SKILL.md:56- Finding
Mutable Remote Executable Download Without Integrity Verification
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 56–68
Vulnerability Type: Remote payload retrieval from a mutable source
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
markdown > Download directly from raw.githubusercontent.com to the local system: ### Windows PowerShell ```powershell Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sweesama/favicondl.com/main/favicondl.ps1" -OutFile "$env:USERPROFILE\favicondl.ps1"Linux / macOS (Bash)
bash curl -fsSL -o ~/favicondl.sh "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sweesama/favicondl.com/main/favicondl.sh" chmod +x ~/favicondl.shtext ### Technical Analysis The installation instructions retrieve executable scripts from the mutable `main` branch of a personal GitHub repository. Neither command pins the downloaded content to a reviewed commit or release, and no cryptographic checksum or signature is verified. Consequently, the code installed by users can differ from the version inspected during this audit. The bundled `favicondl.sh` is not malicious and only invokes the advertised HTTPS API, but this does not establish the safety of future content returned by the mutable remote URLs. The Bash command also writes directly to `~/favicondl.sh`, potentially replacing an existing file, and then marks the downloaded content executable. The PowerShell instruction similarly writes a remotely controlled script into the user's profile. Execution is not automatic in the shown commands, so exploitation requires the user or an agent to subsequently run the downloaded wrapper. This behavior exceeds the minimum privileges and components necessary for the declared favicon-download functionality because the REST API can be called directly and a reviewed Bash wrapper is already included in the Skill package. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises the upstream GitHub account or repository, gains permission to modify it, or introduces a malici ...[truncated 1114 chars]- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Prefer the reviewed
favicondl.shalready distributed inside the Skill package rather than downloading another copy at installation time. - If remote installation remains necessary, pin each URL to an immutable, reviewed Git commit instead of the
mainbranch. - Publish SHA-256 hashes through a separately protected release channel and verify them before making the files executable or running them.
- Prefer signed release artifacts and document signature verification using a trusted maintainer key.
- Avoid silently overwriting existing files. Refuse installation when the destination exists, or require explicit user confirmation and create a backup.
- Clearly identify both CLI wrappers as optional because direct HTTPS API access provides the declared functionality without installing executable code.
- Apply identical pinning and verification controls to both the Bash and PowerShell downloads.
- If updates are supported, present and verify the exact version before replacing a previously reviewed local script.
- Prefer the reviewed
