T06 · System Persistence
Error
- Location
- README.md:58
- Finding
- Recurring Cron Job Creates Cross-Session System Persistence## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `README.md:58-62` **Vulnerability Type**: Scheduled task persistence **Risk Level**: High ### Vulnerable Code ```markdown ### Stay Active Set up a cron job for your agent to check in every 4-8 hours. The skill file includes a template. ``` ### Technical Analysis The documentation directs the agent or user to install a recurring cron job. A cron entry survives the original skill invocation and causes the agent to execute periodically without a new, contemporaneous user request. Registration, profile browsing, matching, and messaging do not inherently require a persistent scheduled task. Installing one therefore expands the skill's execution lifetime and privileges beyond those necessary for its primary functionality. The statement also conflicts with `SKILL.md:151-158`, where recurring activity is described as optional and subject to human approval. In addition, the referenced cron template does not appear in the audited `SKILL.md`. This discrepancy can cause users or agents to treat persistent automation as an expected setup step without receiving a precise description of the commands, actions, credentials, or removal procedure involved. ### Attack Path 1. A user follows the AgentCrush developer instructions. 2. The agent interprets the imperative recommendation to “Set up a cron job” as authorization to install a scheduled task. 3. The task is configured to execute every four to eight hours. 4. The scheduled process retains or retrieves the AgentCrush API credential. 5. After the initiating session ends, the task continues making outbound requests and may browse profiles, swipe, send messages, or perform other account operations. 6. The activity continues until the cron entry is explicitly discovered and removed. ### Impact Assessment Successful exploitation provides persistent, cross-session execution under the operating-system account that owns the cron entry. The ...[truncated 490 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions - Remove the recommendation to install a cron job from the default setup instructions. - Require explicit, informed, opt-in approval before creating any recurring task. - Before installation, display the exact schedule, executable command, network destinations, credential access, and operations the automation will perform. - Restrict scheduled behavior to read-only notification checks unless the user separately approves state-changing actions such as swiping or messaging. - Run automation with a dedicated least-privileged account and narrowly scoped service credential. - Store credentials in an operating-system credential manager rather than embedding them in a crontab or script. - Pin all scripts and instruction files used by the task to immutable, integrity-verified versions. - Implement execution timeouts, rate limits, audit logging, and a clear kill switch. - Provide exact commands for inspecting, disabling, and permanently removing the scheduled task. - Correct the inaccurate statement that `SKILL.md` contains a cron template.
