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auditing-python-security

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Audits Python libraries for security vulnerabilities using Bandit, pip-audit, Semgrep, and detect-secrets. Identifies SQL injection, command injection, hardcoded credentials, weak cryptography, and insecure deserialization. Use when reviewing library security, setting up security scanning in CI, or implementing secure coding patterns.

Backend & APIsscripts

What this skill does


# Python Security Auditing

## Quick Start

```bash
# Static analysis
bandit -r src/ -ll                    # High severity only
pip-audit                             # Dependency vulnerabilities
detect-secrets scan > .secrets.baseline  # Secrets detection
```

## Tool Configuration

**Bandit (.bandit):**
```yaml
exclude_dirs: [tests/, docs/, .venv/]
skips: [B101]  # assert_used - OK in tests
```

**pip-audit:**
```bash
pip-audit -r requirements.txt         # Scan requirements
pip-audit --fix                       # Auto-fix vulnerabilities
```

## Common Vulnerabilities

| Issue | Bandit ID | Fix |
|-------|-----------|-----|
| SQL injection | B608 | Use parameterized queries |
| Command injection | B602 | subprocess without shell=True |
| Hardcoded secrets | B105, B106 | Environment variables |
| Weak crypto | B303 | Use SHA-256+, bcrypt for passwords |
| Pickle untrusted data | B301 | Use JSON instead |
| Path traversal | B108 | Validate with Path.resolve() |

## Secure Patterns

```python
# SQL - Parameterized query
conn.execute("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = ?", (user_id,))

# Commands - No shell
subprocess.run(["cat", filename], check=True)

# Secrets - Environment
API_KEY = os.environ.get("API_KEY")

# Paths - Validate
base = Path("/data").resolve()
file_path = (base / filename).resolve()
if not file_path.is_relative_to(base):
    raise ValueError("Invalid path")
```

## CI Integration

```yaml
# .github/workflows/security.yml
- run: bandit -r src/ -ll
- run: pip-audit
- run: detect-secrets scan --all-files
```

For detailed patterns, see:
- **[VULNERABILITIES.md](VULNERABILITIES.md)** - Full vulnerability examples
- **[CI_SECURITY.md](CI_SECURITY.md)** - Complete CI workflow

## Audit Checklist

```
Code:
- [ ] No SQL injection (parameterized queries)
- [ ] No command injection (no shell=True)
- [ ] No hardcoded secrets
- [ ] No weak crypto (MD5/SHA1)
- [ ] Input validation on external data
- [ ] Path traversal prevention

Dependencies:
- [ ] pip-audit clean
- [ ] Minimal dependencies
- [ ] From trusted sources

CI:
- [ ] Security scan on every PR
- [ ] Weekly dependency scan
```

## Learn More

This skill is based on the [Security](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/#security-a-matter-of-trust) section of the [Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/) by [Will McGinnis](https://mcginniscommawill.com/). See these posts for deeper coverage:

- [Avoiding Injection Flaws](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-01-18-avoiding-injection-flaws/)
- [Intro to Bandit](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-01-25-intro-to-bandit/)
- [Advanced Bandit Configuration](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-08-22-advanced-bandit-configuration/)
- [SQL Injection Detection](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-08-25-sql-injection-detection-b608/)
- [Dependency Security with pip-audit](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-01-27-dependency-security-pip-audit/)
- [Handling Sensitive Data](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-01-29-handling-sensitive-data/)
- [Secure Coding Practices](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-02-02-secure-coding-practices/)

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