2025 Security Scan: Vulnerabilities Detected & Remediation

Dec 3, 2025 by Alex Johnson 59 views

Security Vulnerabilities Detected: A Comprehensive Analysis (2025-12-03)

In this article, we delve into the security vulnerabilities detected during a scan conducted on December 3, 2025. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of our systems. We will break down the findings from both Bandit and Semgrep security tools, providing context and potential remediation steps. This information is vital for developers, system administrators, and anyone involved in ensuring the security of applications and infrastructure.

🔒 Security Scan Results Overview

The security scan revealed a number of issues flagged by Bandit and Semgrep, two powerful tools for identifying potential vulnerabilities in code and configurations. Bandit, a Python static analysis tool, identified 142 issues, while Semgrep, a fast and comprehensive code search tool, flagged 30 vulnerabilities. These findings span a range of severity levels, from low to high, and touch on various aspects of the codebase and infrastructure. It's essential to address each of these issues systematically to mitigate potential risks.

The scan was conducted on December 3, 2025, and the results provide a snapshot of the security posture at that specific point in time. Regular security scans are crucial for continuous monitoring and early detection of vulnerabilities. This proactive approach helps in preventing potential exploits and maintaining a robust security framework. The scan covered various files and components, highlighting the importance of a holistic security strategy.

Bandit Security Issues (142)

Bandit, a popular open-source security tool for Python, identified 142 potential security issues. These issues range from missing timeouts in requests to the use of potentially unsafe functions. Let's take a closer look at some of the key findings:

1. Missing Timeouts in Requests

One of the most frequent issues flagged by Bandit is the absence of timeouts in requests calls. This is a MEDIUM severity issue that appears in multiple files, including modern_treasury_helpers.py and modern_treasury.py. Specifically, the issues are:

./modern_treasury/modern_treasury_helpers.py:426: Call to requests without timeout
./modern_treasury/modern_treasury_helpers.py:439: Call to requests without timeout
./modern_treasury/modern_treasury_helpers.py:450: Call to requests without timeout
./services/modern_treasury/modern_treasury.py:39: Call to requests without timeout
./services/modern_treasury/modern_treasury.py:68: Call to requests without timeout
./services/modern_treasury/modern_treasury.py:89: Call to requests without timeout
./services/modern_treasury/modern_treasury.py:110: Call to requests without timeout
./services/paypal/paypal.py:46: Call to requests without timeout
./services/paypal/paypal.py:71: Call to requests without timeout
./services/paypal/paypal.py:107: Call to requests without timeout
./services/paypal/paypal.py:133: Call to requests without timeout

Why is this important? Failing to set a timeout for HTTP requests can leave the application vulnerable to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. If a request hangs indefinitely, it can consume resources and prevent the application from handling other requests. By setting a timeout, you ensure that the application does not wait indefinitely for a response, improving its resilience and stability.

How to fix it: When using the requests library, always specify a timeout parameter. For example:

import requests

try:
    response = requests.get('https://example.com', timeout=10)  # 10 seconds timeout
    response.raise_for_status()  # Raise HTTPError for bad responses (4xx or 5xx)
except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
    print(f'Request failed: {e}')

2. Subprocess Module Implications

Bandit flagged a LOW severity issue related to the subprocess module in health-check.py:

./scripts/health-check.py:8: Consider possible security implications associated with the subprocess module.
./scripts/health-check.py:18: subprocess call - check for execution of untrusted input.

Why is this important? The subprocess module allows you to run external commands, which can be powerful but also risky. If you're not careful, you could inadvertently execute malicious code. It's crucial to validate any input passed to subprocess to prevent command injection vulnerabilities. The subprocess module is a powerful tool, but it should be used with caution. When dealing with external processes, ensure that all inputs are validated and sanitized to prevent potential command injection attacks. Understanding the risks associated with the subprocess module is essential for building secure applications.

How to fix it: Avoid using shell=True and sanitize any input passed to subprocess. Use the list form of subprocess.run() to prevent shell injection:

import subprocess

command = ['ls', '-l', '/path/to/directory']
result = subprocess.run(command, capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout)

3. Try, Except, Continue Pattern

Another LOW severity issue identified in health-check.py is the use of try, except, continue:

./scripts/health-check.py:195: Try, Except, Continue detected.

Why is this important? This pattern can mask errors and lead to unexpected behavior. If an exception occurs within the try block, the except block catches it, but the continue statement skips the rest of the loop iteration. This can hide important issues and make debugging difficult. Proper error handling is crucial for the stability and reliability of applications. The try-except-continue pattern, while sometimes convenient, can lead to masked errors and unpredictable behavior. It's important to carefully evaluate the use of this pattern and ensure that errors are properly handled and logged.

How to fix it: Ensure that exceptions are properly handled or logged within the except block. Consider logging the error or re-raising it if necessary:

try
    # Some code that might raise an exception
except SomeException as e
    print(f"An error occurred {e}")  # Log the error
    # Potentially re-raise the exception or take other corrective action

4. Assert Statements in Production Code

Bandit flagged numerous LOW severity issues related to the use of assert statements in test files (test_main.py, test_smoke.py, tests/integration/test_app_integration.py, etc.).

Why is this important? assert statements are a useful tool for debugging and testing, but they are removed when Python code is optimized (e.g., when running with the -O flag). This means that assertions should not be relied upon for production code. Assertions are a valuable tool for debugging and testing, but they are not intended for production use. Relying on assertions for critical logic can lead to unexpected behavior in optimized code. Understanding the limitations of assertions is key to writing robust and reliable applications.

How to fix it: Replace assert statements with proper error handling or validation logic in production code. Assertions are fine for tests, but not for runtime checks:

def some_function(value):
    if not isinstance(value, int):
        raise ValueError("Value must be an integer")

5. Hardcoded Password String

Bandit identified a LOW severity issue related to a hardcoded password string:

./tests/test_models.py:29: Possible hardcoded password: 'test-secret-key'

Why is this important? Hardcoding passwords or secret keys directly in the code is a major security risk. If the code is compromised, the attacker will have access to the password. It is a cardinal rule of security to avoid hardcoding sensitive information. Hardcoded credentials are a common target for attackers, and their presence in code can lead to severe security breaches. Implementing proper secret management practices is essential for protecting sensitive information.

How to fix it: Never hardcode passwords or secret keys. Use environment variables, configuration files, or a secrets management system to store sensitive information:

import os

secret_key = os.environ.get("SECRET_KEY")
if secret_key is None:
    raise ValueError("SECRET_KEY environment variable not set")

Semgrep Security Issues (30)

Semgrep, a fast and versatile static analysis tool, identified 30 security issues. These issues span various categories, including GitHub Actions misconfigurations, Flask and Django vulnerabilities, and Docker Compose misconfigurations. Let's explore some of the key findings.

1. GitHub Actions `pull_request_target` Misuse

Semgrep flagged a WARNING severity issue in the GitHub Actions workflow file:

.github/workflows/frogbot-scan-pr.yml:41: This GitHub Actions workflow file uses pull_request_target and checks out code from the incoming pull request.

Why is this important? The pull_request_target event in GitHub Actions runs in the context of the target repository, which includes access to all repository secrets. However, checking out code from the incoming pull request can lead to arbitrary code execution if the pull request is malicious. Improper use of the pull_request_target event can expose repository secrets and create significant security risks. It's crucial to follow security best practices when configuring GitHub Actions workflows.

How to fix it: Audit the workflow file to ensure no code from the incoming PR is executed. Follow GitHub's recommendations for mitigating risks associated with pull_request_target. Consider using pull_request event with appropriate protections:

name: Secure PR Workflow

on:
  pull_request:
    types: [synchronize, opened, reopened]

jobs:
  security_scan:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v3
        with:
          ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha }}

2. Flask `app.run()` Misconfiguration

Semgrep identified a WARNING severity issue related to the use of app.run() in a Flask application:

app.py:3: top-level app.run(...) is ignored by flask. Consider putting app.run(...) behind a guard, like inside a function

Why is this important? Calling app.run() directly at the top level can lead to issues with Flask's reloader and debugger. It's best practice to encapsulate app.run() within a conditional block to prevent it from running when the application is imported by other modules. Proper Flask application configuration ensures that the application runs as expected in various environments. Misconfigurations can lead to unexpected behavior and hinder debugging efforts.

How to fix it: Put app.run() behind a guard, such as if __name__ == '__main__'::

from flask import Flask

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/')
def hello():
    return "Hello, World!"

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

3. NaN Injection Vulnerability

Semgrep flagged an ERROR severity issue related to NaN injection in auth.py:

auth.py:37: Found user input going directly into typecast for bool(), float(), or complex(). This allows an attacker to inject Python's not-a-number (NaN) into the typecast.

Why is this important? User input going directly into typecasts for bool(), float(), or complex() can allow an attacker to inject Python's not-a-number (NaN) value. This can lead to undefined behavior, particularly in comparisons. Input validation is crucial for preventing injection vulnerabilities. Untrusted user input should always be sanitized and validated before being used in critical operations.

How to fix it: Cast to a different type or add a guard checking for all capitalizations of the string 'nan':

def process_input(input_str):
    if input_str.lower() == 'nan':
        raise ValueError("Invalid input: NaN detected")
    try:
        value = float(input_str)
    except ValueError:
        raise ValueError("Invalid input: Could not convert to float")
    return value

4. Open Redirect Vulnerability

Semgrep identified an ERROR severity issue related to an open redirect in auth.py:

auth.py:50: Data from request is passed to redirect(). This is an open redirect and could be exploited.

Why is this important? An open redirect vulnerability occurs when an application uses user-supplied data to construct a redirect URL. This can be exploited by attackers to redirect users to malicious websites. Open redirects can be used in phishing attacks and can compromise user security. Preventing open redirects is a critical aspect of web application security.

How to fix it: Use url_for() to generate links to known locations. If you must use a URL to unknown pages, consider using urlparse() and checking if the netloc property is the same as your site's host name:

from flask import Flask, redirect, url_for, request
from urllib.parse import urlparse

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/redirect')
def safe_redirect():
    target = request.args.get('target')
    if not target:
        return "Missing target parameter", 400
    
    parsed_url = urlparse(target)
    if parsed_url.netloc == request.host:
        return redirect(target)
    else:
        return "Invalid target", 400

5. Unvalidated Password Setting

Semgrep flagged WARNING severity issues related to unvalidated password setting in auth.py, init_db.py, and main.py:

auth.py:110: The password on 'user' is being set without validating the password.
auth.py:162: The password on 'current_user' is being set without validating the password.
init_db.py:56: The password on 'admin_user' is being set without validating the password.
init_db.py:68: The password on 'demo_user' is being set without validating the password.
main.py:278: The password on 'admin_user' is being set without validating the password.

Why is this important? Setting passwords without validation can lead to weak or easily guessable passwords, making user accounts vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Password validation ensures that passwords meet certain complexity requirements, improving the overall security of the system. Proper password management is a cornerstone of application security.

How to fix it: Call django.contrib.auth.password_validation.validate_password() with validation functions before setting the password:

from django.contrib.auth.models import User
from django.contrib.auth import password_validation

def create_user(username, password):
    user = User.objects.create_user(username=username, password=password)
    try:
        password_validation.validate_password(password, user=user)
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Password validation failed: {e}")
        return None
    user.set_password(password)
    user.save()
    return user

6. Docker Compose Security Misconfigurations

Semgrep identified several WARNING severity issues in docker-compose.yml related to security misconfigurations:

docker-compose.yml:24: Service 'db' allows for privilege escalation via setuid or setgid binaries.
docker-compose.yml:24: Service 'db' is running with a writable root filesystem.
docker-compose.yml:37: Service 'redis' allows for privilege escalation via setuid or setgid binaries.
docker-compose.yml:37: Service 'redis' is running with a writable root filesystem.
docker-compose.yml:45: Service 'nginx' allows for privilege escalation via setuid or setgid binaries.
docker-compose.yml:45: Service 'nginx' is running with a writable root filesystem.

Why is this important? Privilege escalation and writable root filesystems can allow malicious applications to download and run additional payloads or modify container files. These misconfigurations can lead to container breakouts and compromise the host system. Securing Docker containers is essential for maintaining the overall security of the infrastructure.

How to fix it: Add no-new-privileges: true in security_opt and read_only: true to the service configuration:

services:
  db:
    image: postgres:13
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    read_only: true

7. JavaScript Insecure Document Methods

Semgrep flagged ERROR severity issues related to insecure document methods in static/js/payment.js:

static/js/payment.js:92: User controlled data in methods like innerHTML, outerHTML or document.write is an anti-pattern that can lead to XSS vulnerabilities
static/js/payment.js:102: User controlled data in methods like innerHTML, outerHTML or document.write is an anti-pattern that can lead to XSS vulnerabilities

Why is this important? Using user-controlled data in methods like innerHTML, outerHTML, or document.write can lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Sanitizing user input is crucial for preventing XSS attacks. Proper handling of user-generated content is essential for web application security.

How to fix it: Sanitize user input before using it in these methods. Consider using safer alternatives like textContent or DOM manipulation methods:

function safeSetInnerHTML(element, html) {
    element.textContent = ''; // Clear existing content
    const sanitizedHTML = DOMPurify.sanitize(html); // Sanitize HTML
    element.innerHTML = sanitizedHTML; // Set sanitized HTML
}

8. Missing Subresource Integrity (SRI) Attributes

Semgrep identified WARNING severity issues related to missing SRI attributes in templates/base.html:

templates/base.html:9: This tag is missing an 'integrity' subresource integrity attribute.
templates/base.html:11: This tag is missing an 'integrity' subresource integrity attribute.
templates/base.html:192: This tag is missing an 'integrity' subresource integrity attribute.

Why is this important? The integrity attribute allows the browser to verify that externally hosted files (e.g., from a CDN) are delivered without unexpected manipulation. Without this attribute, if an attacker can modify the externally hosted resource, it could lead to XSS and other attacks. Using SRI attributes enhances the security of web applications by ensuring the integrity of external resources.

How to fix it: Include the base64-encoded cryptographic hash of the resource in the integrity attribute for all externally hosted files:

<link rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.5.2/css/bootstrap.min.css"
      integrity="sha384-JcKb8q3iqJ61gNV9KGb8thSsNjpSL0n8PARn9HuZOnIxN0hoP+VmmDGMN5t9UJ0Z"
      crossorigin="anonymous">

9. Missing CSRF Tokens in Django Templates

Semgrep flagged WARNING severity issues related to missing CSRF tokens in Django templates:

templates/data_import/dashboard.html:81: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.
templates/data_import/dashboard.html:85: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.
templates/data_import/dashboard.html:109: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.
templates/data_import/dashboard.html:113: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.
templates/data_import/dashboard.html:163: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.
templates/data_import/dashboard.html:166: Manually-created forms in Django templates should specify a csrf_token to prevent CSRF attacks.

Why is this important? CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attacks can occur when a malicious website, email, blog, instant message, or program causes a user’s web browser to perform an unwanted action on a trusted site when the user is authenticated. Django provides CSRF protection middleware, but it requires including a CSRF token in forms. Protecting against CSRF attacks is a fundamental aspect of web application security.

How to fix it: Include {% csrf_token %} in manually-created forms:

<form method="post">
    {% csrf_token %}
    <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

Conclusion: Prioritizing Security Remediation

The security scan results presented here highlight the importance of continuous security monitoring and proactive vulnerability management. By addressing the issues identified by Bandit and Semgrep, we can significantly improve the security posture of our systems. Prioritizing remediation efforts based on severity and potential impact is crucial for effective security management. Remember, security is an ongoing process, and regular scans and updates are essential for maintaining a secure environment.

To learn more about security vulnerabilities and how to address them, visit the OWASP Foundation website.