T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
SKILL.md:97- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Dependencies Installed at Runtime
- Content
View full analysis
Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md, line 97
Vulnerability Type:T08: Insecure Dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
markdown 1. Install dependencies: `pip install openpyxl pandas`Technical Analysis
The Skill instructs the Agent to install
openpyxlandpandaswithout specifying reviewed versions, package hashes, a lockfile, or a trusted package index. Consequently, dependency resolution can produce different software across executions and implicitly trusts the Agent environment's configured Python package source.If a future dependency release or configured package index is compromised, attacker-controlled code could run during package installation or when the installed package is imported. The project does not itself contain a malicious dependency or explicitly select a known malicious package; the vulnerability is the unsafe and non-reproducible installation process.
Attack Path
- A user invokes the Skill in an environment where the required packages are unavailable.
- The Agent follows the documented setup instruction and runs
pip install openpyxl pandas. pipresolves packages and transitive dependencies through the environment's configured package index without validating project-approved versions or hashes.- A compromised package release, transitive dependency, or hostile configured index supplies attacker-controlled package content.
- Malicious code executes during installation or a subsequent Python import with the privileges of the Agent process.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could provide code execution with the permissions of the Agent process. Depending on its environment, this may expose Excel documents, workspace files, environment variables, credentials available to the process, and writable project resources. The impact is constrained by the Agent's operating-system permissions and any sandboxing or network restri ...[truncated 169 chars]
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
- Pin every direct and transitive dependency to a reviewed version in a lockfile.
- Record and enforce cryptographic hashes for all downloaded distributions:
bash python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt - Configure
pipto use an explicitly trusted package index rather than inheriting an unknown environment configuration. - Install dependencies in an isolated virtual environment or restricted container using a non-privileged account.
- Generate dependencies in a controlled build process and scan them for known vulnerabilities before deployment.
- Periodically review and deliberately update pinned versions rather than resolving the latest versions at runtime.
- Avoid granting the dependency-installation process access to credentials or sensitive user documents.
