auditing-python-security

name	auditing-python-security
description	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.

Python Security Auditing

Quick Start

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

Tool Configuration

Bandit (.bandit):

exclude_dirs: [tests/, docs/, .venv/]
skips: [B101]  # assert_used - OK in tests

pip-audit:

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

# 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

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

For detailed patterns, see:

• VULNERABILITIES.md - Full vulnerability examples
• 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 section of the Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries by Will McGinnis. See these posts for deeper coverage:

• Avoiding Injection Flaws
• Intro to Bandit
• Advanced Bandit Configuration
• SQL Injection Detection
• Dependency Security with pip-audit
• Handling Sensitive Data
• Secure Coding Practices