T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:133- Finding
Unpinned and Unnecessary Third-Party Dependencies
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, lines 133 and 218
Vulnerability Type: Supply-chain exposure through unconstrained package installation
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable code snippets:
bash pip install requeststext | pypdf | Python library | Required | pip install pypdf |Technical Analysis
The skill directs the agent to install
requestsandpypdfwithout pinning reviewed versions, verifying package hashes, using a lockfile, or requiring an explicitly trusted package index. Package resolution therefore depends on mutable releases and the runtime's configured pip index.The documented PDF-merging example imports
pypdfbut does not userequests. Installingrequestsunnecessarily expands the dependency graph and supply-chain attack surface beyond what the declared local PDF-merging function requires.This finding does not establish that either named package is malicious. The risk arises from unconstrained installation instructions: a compromised future release, transitive dependency, package-index configuration, or intercepted/untrusted mirror could introduce attacker-controlled code. Python packages can execute code during installation or later when imported.
Attack Path
- A user or agent follows the environment and dependency instructions in
SKILL.md. - The agent runs
pip install requestsand/orpip install pypdf. - pip resolves the latest compatible packages and transitive dependencies from its configured index without checking project-provided hashes or a reviewed lockfile.
- A compromised release, dependency, or configured package source supplies malicious package content.
- Attacker-controlled code executes during package installation or when the package is imported by the PDF-processing workflow.
- The code runs with the same operating-system identity, filesystem access, network access, and environment visibility as the invoking agen ...[truncated 629 chars]
- A user or agent follows the environment and dependency instructions in
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Remove
requestsbecause the documented local PDF-merging implementation does not use it. - Pin
pypdfto a specifically reviewed version rather than resolving an unconstrained latest release. - Maintain dependencies in a lockfile and require cryptographic hash verification, such as pip's
--require-hashesworkflow. - Configure an explicitly trusted package index and prevent fallback to unreviewed or unexpected indexes.
- Install dependencies in an isolated virtual environment or restricted container with minimal filesystem and network permissions.
- Require explicit user approval before an agent installs or upgrades packages.
- Add automated dependency auditing and controlled update review so pinned versions can receive verified security updates.
- Remove
