T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:142- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependencies Create a Mutable Supply-Chain Risk
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 142-145
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned dependency installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
bash # Install Python dependencies pip install requests beautifulsoup4 markdown # Verify installationTechnical Analysis
The Skill instructs the user or agent to install three Python packages without fixed versions, package hashes, a lockfile, or explicit index restrictions. Consequently, the artifacts installed when the command runs may differ from those present when the Skill was reviewed.
Package installation can execute package-controlled build and installation logic under the privileges of the invoking user. If an upstream package, release process, dependency, or configured package index is compromised, following this instruction could introduce attacker-controlled code into the environment.
The package names do not exhibit evident typosquatting, and the audited artifact does not deliberately select an identified malicious package. The risk arises from mutable, insufficiently verified dependencies rather than confirmed malicious package content.
Attack Path
- A user or tool-enabled agent follows the dependency setup instructions in
SKILL.md. pipqueries its configured package index and resolves the latest compatible releases and their transitive dependencies.- An upstream release, transitive dependency, or package-index response has been compromised or unexpectedly modified since the Skill was audited.
pipdownloads and installs the unreviewed artifact.- Package-controlled installation or subsequently imported runtime code executes with the privileges of the invoking process.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running
pip. Depending on that account and environment, the code could read or modify accessible files, access environment va ...[truncated 169 chars]- A user or tool-enabled agent follows the dependency setup instructions in
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
- Replace the direct installation command with a reviewed requirements or lock file containing exact versions.
- Record cryptographic hashes for every direct and transitive package and require hash verification:
bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt - Restrict installation to an explicitly trusted package index and disallow unintended extra indexes.
- Generate dependencies in a controlled build process and regularly scan them for known vulnerabilities.
- Install packages in an isolated virtual environment under a non-privileged account.
- Document the reviewed package versions and the process for securely updating them.
