T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:233- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Python Dependencies
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 233-234
Vulnerability Type: Supply-chain risk caused by unpinned dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code Snippet:
markdown | openpyxl | Python library | Optional | `pip install openpyxl` (Excel export) | | reportlab | Python library | Optional | `pip install reportlab` (PDF generation) |Technical Analysis
The documented installation commands retrieve the latest versions of
openpyxlandreportlabavailable from pip's configured package index. They do not specify reviewed versions, enforce cryptographic hashes, use a lockfile, or explicitly identify a trusted package repository.Consequently, the effective dependency code can change between installations without any corresponding change to the audited Skill. A compromised upstream release, package-index account, repository configuration, or dependency in the transitive dependency graph could cause users to install code that was never reviewed as part of this artifact.
Although the audited document does not itself contain a malicious payload or retrieve one explicitly, the installation guidance does not provide controls that ensure dependency integrity or reproducibility.
Attack Path
- An attacker compromises an upstream package release, a relevant transitive dependency, or the package source configured in the target environment.
- The attacker publishes a malicious release that satisfies the unconstrained package name.
- A user follows the documented
pip install openpyxlorpip install reportlabcommand. - pip resolves and downloads the attacker-controlled or compromised release because no approved version or hash is enforced.
- Malicious package behavior may execute during installation or when the package is subsequently imported by the financial application.
- The payload operates with the privileges and data access of the user or Agent process that install ...[truncated 758 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
-
Pin every direct dependency to a reviewed version rather than installing an unconstrained latest release.
-
Store dependencies in a version-controlled requirements or lock file that also fixes transitive versions.
-
Generate and enforce cryptographic hashes, for example:
bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt -
Document and enforce the trusted package index with pip configuration or an explicit approved index URL.
-
Verify package provenance and review release notes before updating pinned versions.
-
Run dependency vulnerability and integrity scanning in the release process.
-
Install packages in an isolated virtual environment under a non-privileged account; do not use administrator or root privileges.
-
Test dependency upgrades in a controlled environment before changing the approved lockfile.
-