T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Warning
- Location
- SKILL.md:24
- Finding
- Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation<![CDATA[ ## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md:24` **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned and unverifiable third-party dependency **Risk Level**: Medium ### Vulnerable Code ```bash pip install openclaw ``` ### Technical Analysis The documented installation procedure retrieves the latest available version of the `openclaw` package without specifying an audited version, cryptographic hash, lockfile, or verified source repository. Consequently, the code installed by users may differ from the dependency version that existed when this project was reviewed. If the package distribution or maintainer account is compromised, or if a future release is malicious, package installation or subsequent import can execute attacker-controlled Python code. The project also imports this dependency directly: ```python from openclaw import OpenClaw ``` Python packages can execute code during installation and whenever their modules are imported. No malicious behavior in the currently referenced dependency was established by this audit; the issue is the unsafe, mutable dependency acquisition process. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises the package publisher, distribution account, or upstream release process. 2. The attacker publishes a malicious version of `openclaw`. 3. A user follows the documented `pip install openclaw` instruction. 4. `pip` retrieves the attacker-controlled release because no version or hash is enforced. 5. Malicious code executes during package installation or when `scripts_generator.py` imports the package. 6. The payload operates with the privileges of the user running `pip` or the generator. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation could permit arbitrary code execution under the installing or executing user's account. Depending on that account's permissions, this may expose environment variables such as `OPENCLAW_API_KEY`, application data, accessible files, and network resources. The project itself does not request elevate ...[truncated 196 chars]
- Remediation
- <![CDATA[ ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Pin the dependency to a specifically audited version, for example: ```bash pip install openclaw==<audited-version> ``` 2. Generate and maintain a dependency lockfile containing cryptographic hashes. 3. Install dependencies with hash verification, such as: ```bash pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt ``` 4. Document the official package repository and verify package ownership and provenance. 5. Use an isolated virtual environment or container with minimal filesystem and network privileges. 6. Add automated dependency vulnerability and integrity scanning to the release process. 7. Review dependency updates before changing the pinned version rather than automatically accepting the latest release. ]]>