T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:398- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:398
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned third-party package installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code
markdown | PyYAML | Python library | Optional | `pip install pyyaml` (required for configuration file support) |The original instruction invokes
pip install pyyamlwithout specifying a package version, cryptographic hash, lock file, trusted package index, or isolated environment.Technical Analysis
The installation command allows the package installer to resolve whichever PyYAML release is available from the configured Python package index at execution time. Consequently, the dependency installed by an Agent may differ from the dependency originally reviewed.
If the configured index, package distribution, account, or dependency-resolution environment is compromised, the command could install an attacker-controlled artifact. Python packages may execute code during installation or when imported by the file-management implementation. No malicious PyYAML artifact is included in this project; the issue is the absence of controls that make dependency resolution reproducible and verifiable.
Attack Path
- A user or Agent follows the dependency setup instructions in
SKILL.md. - The Agent runs
pip install pyyamlusing its current Python and package-index configuration. - Pip resolves an uncontrolled package version from that index.
- A compromised package release, distribution account, index, mirror, or local package configuration supplies a malicious artifact.
- Malicious installation or import-time code executes with the permissions of the user running pip or the Agent.
- The payload can access resources available to that account, including files within the Agent's accessible workspace.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could result in arbitrary code execution under the invoking user's privileges. The resulting scope ...[truncated 465 chars]
- A user or Agent follows the dependency setup instructions in
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Pin PyYAML to a reviewed exact version rather than allowing unconstrained resolution.
- Store dependencies in a version-controlled requirements or lock file.
- Require cryptographic hashes, for example through
pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt. - Explicitly specify and document the trusted package index rather than relying on ambient pip configuration.
- Install dependencies in a dedicated virtual environment with minimal permissions.
- Add automated dependency scanning and a controlled update process.
- Include the claimed
file-toolkit.pyimplementation in the package so its dependency usage and behavior can be audited.
