T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:196- Finding
Unpinned Pre-Release Python Dependencies
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 196–197; repeated at lines 355–356
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned and unaudited pre-release dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code Snippet:
bash pip install agent-framework --pre pip install agent-framework-azure-ai --preThe same installation requirements are repeated in the dependency table:
markdown | agent-framework | Python package | Required | `pip install agent-framework --pre` | | agent-framework-azure-ai | Python package | Required | `pip install agent-framework-azure-ai --pre` |Technical Analysis
The Skill instructs users to install third-party Python packages without exact version constraints, package hashes, or a reviewed lock file. The
--preoption explicitly permits mutable pre-release versions, which generally provide weaker stability guarantees and may receive less security scrutiny than stable releases.Each invocation can resolve a different package version as new releases become available. Python package installation can also execute package-controlled build or installation logic. Consequently, a compromised upstream release, maliciously altered distribution artifact, or otherwise unsafe preview version could execute code in the user's environment during installation.
No malicious package or active compromise was identified in the audited project. The vulnerability is the unsafe dependency acquisition practice and the resulting exposure to supply-chain compromise.
Attack Path
- A user follows the setup instructions in
SKILL.md. - The user runs the unpinned
pip installcommands with pre-release resolution enabled. - Pip selects the latest eligible artifacts available from the configured package index rather than a previously reviewed, immutable version.
- If an eligible dependency or transitive dependency has been compromised, its package-controlled build or installation logic r ...[truncated 1171 chars]
- A user follows the setup instructions in
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
-
Replace the unbounded requirements with exact versions that have been reviewed:
bash python -m pip install \ agent-framework==<reviewed-version> \ agent-framework-azure-ai==<reviewed-version> -
Prefer stable releases and remove
--preunless a documented, unavoidable compatibility requirement exists. -
Generate and commit a lock file containing all transitive dependencies and cryptographic hashes. Install with hash verification, for example:
bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.lock -
Obtain packages only from an explicitly configured, trusted package index or an organization-controlled artifact repository.
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Perform dependency vulnerability, provenance, and license checks before approving updated versions. Review transitive dependencies as well as direct dependencies.
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Install dependencies inside an isolated virtual environment or container using a non-privileged account. Do not install with elevated operating-system privileges.
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Avoid exposing Azure credentials during dependency installation. Separate environment provisioning from authenticated Agent execution and apply least-privilege Azure roles.
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Add an update process that reviews, tests, and re-locks dependency versions deliberately rather than resolving new preview versions during each installation.
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