T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Warning
- Location
- SKILL.md:11
- Finding
- Unpinned Third-Party npm Dependency## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md`, lines 11–15 **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned third-party package installation **Risk Level**: Medium **Vulnerable Configuration**: ```yaml install: - id: npm kind: node package: async bins: ["async"] ``` ### Technical Analysis The skill declares installation of the npm package `async` without an exact version, lockfile, or integrity hash. Consequently, installation can resolve mutable package-registry content rather than a previously reviewed artifact. This prevents reproducible installation and creates exposure to future package compromise, malicious release publication, registry-account takeover, or unexpected dependency changes. The declaration should also be validated because `async` is commonly consumed as a Node.js library, while the configuration expects an `async` executable. A mismatch between the intended package and declared binary increases the risk of installing an unnecessary or incorrectly selected component. No evidence establishes that the current `async` package release is malicious. The vulnerability is the unsafe, unpinned supply-chain configuration. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises the selected npm package, one of its transitive dependencies, or the relevant publisher account, and publishes a malicious release. 2. The skill installer resolves the package name without an exact version or verified integrity value. 3. npm downloads the attacker-controlled release during installation. 4. Malicious package content or applicable lifecycle behavior executes in the installation environment. 5. The payload operates with the privileges and accessible environment of the process installing the skill. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution under the installer’s account. Depending on that account’s permissions, the payload could access project files, environment variables, API c ...[truncated 278 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions - Pin the dependency to an audited exact version rather than relying on registry resolution of an unspecified release. - Use a committed lockfile and verify package integrity with trusted checksums or npm integrity metadata. - Review direct and transitive dependencies before release and continuously monitor them for compromise or known vulnerabilities. - Disable npm lifecycle scripts during installation where they are not required. - Verify that the selected package actually provides the declared `async` binary and is necessary for the documented orchestration functionality. - Remove the dependency entirely if the skill does not invoke it. - Install dependencies in a least-privileged, isolated environment without unrelated secrets such as `BRAVE_API_KEY`.