T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:125- Finding
Unpinned Python Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:125
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party dependency installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code Snippet:
bash pip install requestsTechnical Analysis
The setup instructions install
requestswithout specifying an exact version, lockfile, or package integrity hash. Consequently, the package version and transitive dependency graph are resolved from the configured package index at installation time and may differ from the versions originally reviewed.The supplied Python example does not import or use
requests, so this installation also introduces unnecessary supply-chain exposure for the documented example. The instruction does not itself prove that the package is malicious; the weakness is that it permits mutable, unverified dependency resolution.Attack Path
- An attacker compromises a future package release, a transitive dependency, a package maintainer account, or the package source configured in the user's environment.
- A user follows the skill's environment-preparation instructions and runs
pip install requests. pipresolves and downloads the current package and dependency versions without enforcing reviewed versions or integrity hashes.- Malicious package code executes during installation or later when the installed component is imported.
- The payload operates with the permissions of the user or automation account running the installation.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide arbitrary code execution under the installing user's privileges. Depending on that account's access, the attacker could read or modify source code, steal environment variables and development credentials, tamper with generated API artifacts, or compromise build outputs. The scope is limited by the permissions and isolation controls of the Python installation environment.
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Remove
requestsfrom the setup instructions unless the skill genuinely requires it. - If required, pin an exact, reviewed version rather than resolving the latest available release.
- Maintain a lockfile or requirements file containing hashes, and install with hash enforcement, such as
pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt. - Review and pin transitive dependencies where practical.
- Use a trusted, explicitly configured package index and restrict fallback to untrusted sources.
- Run dependency installation in an isolated virtual environment or disposable sandbox with minimal privileges and no unnecessary credentials.
- Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance checks to the release process.
- Remove
