T08 · Insecure Dependencies
- Location
README.md:33- Finding
Unpinned Third-Party Python Dependencies
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
README.md, lines 33-37
Vulnerability Type: Unpinned and integrity-unverified third-party dependencies
Risk Level: MediumVulnerable Code:
powershell pip install openpyxl pandas python-docx python-pptx pdfplumberTechnical Analysis
The documented installation command retrieves five Python packages and their transitive dependencies from pip's configured package index without exact version constraints, cryptographic hashes, a lockfile, or an explicitly trusted index.
Consequently, the dependency set can change after the skill has been reviewed. Python package installation can execute package-controlled build or installation logic, so a compromised upstream release, transitive dependency, or configured package index could introduce code execution on the user's system. The package names shown are established names and provide no direct evidence of typosquatting or an actively malicious dependency; the risk arises from mutable, unverified dependency resolution.
Attack Path
- A user follows the dependency installation instructions in
README.md. - pip resolves the named packages and their transitive dependencies using the user's configured package index.
- An attacker compromises an upstream package or dependency release, or controls/misconfigures the package index used by the victim.
- pip downloads the attacker-controlled distribution because no reviewed versions or hashes constrain resolution.
- Malicious build or installation logic executes with the privileges of the user running pip. Malicious runtime code may also execute later when the dependency is imported.
Impact Assessment
Successful exploitation could allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the account performing the installation. The attacker could access or modify files available to that account, read environment variables and application data, alter the Python envi ...[truncated 424 chars]
- A user follows the dependency installation instructions in
- Remediation
View remediation
Remediation Suggestions
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Create a reviewed requirements or lock file containing exact dependency versions, including all transitive dependencies.
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Generate and record cryptographic hashes for every permitted distribution.
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Install dependencies with hash verification, for example:
powershell python -m pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt -
Configure and document an explicitly trusted package index rather than relying on arbitrary user-level pip configuration.
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Review new dependency versions before updating the lock file, and use automated dependency and provenance scanning.
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Install dependencies in an isolated virtual environment under a non-privileged account.
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Remove dependencies not required by the delivered implementation. In particular, reconcile the documentation's inconsistent references to
pypdfandpdfplumber. -
Include the declared
office-reader.ps1implementation in the package so its actual dependency usage and security properties can be audited.
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