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Security: aw-junaid/Python-System-Administration

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Report a vulnerability

SECURITY.md

🔐 Security Policy

Thank you for helping keep Python System Administration and its users safe. This document outlines which versions receive security updates, how to report a vulnerability, and what to expect after you do.

📌 Supported Versions

This repository is a collection of standalone scripts and utilities rather than a versioned software package. Security fixes are applied to the latest commit on the main branch only.

Branch / Version Supported
main (latest) ✅ Yes
Older commits / forks ❌ No
Archived or deprecated scripts ❌ No

Note

If a specific script or folder is later split into its own versioned package (e.g., published to PyPI), that package will maintain its own supported-version table.

🚨 Reporting a Vulnerability

If you discover a security vulnerability in any script, dependency usage, or documentation in this repository, please do not open a public GitHub issue. Public disclosure before a fix is available can put users at risk.

Instead, report it privately using one of the following methods, in order of preference:

  1. GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting (preferred) Go to the Security tab of this repository and select "Report a vulnerability".

  2. Email Send details to awjunaid@proton.me with the subject line: SECURITY: [short description]

  3. Discord (for initial contact only) You may reach out on Discord to establish a private communication channel — do not post vulnerability details in public channels.

What to Include in Your Report

To help us triage and resolve the issue quickly, please include as much of the following as possible:

  • A clear description of the vulnerability and its potential impact
  • The affected script(s), file path(s), or folder(s)
  • Steps to reproduce (proof-of-concept code, commands, or inputs)
  • The environment in which it was discovered (OS, Python version, dependency versions)
  • Any suggested remediation or patch, if you have one
  • Whether the issue is already publicly known or exploited

⏱️ Response Process & Timeline

Stage Target Timeframe
Acknowledgment of report Within 3 business days
Initial assessment / triage Within 7 business days
Status update to reporter At least every 14 days until resolved
Fix, mitigation, or advisory published Depends on severity and complexity

Once a fix is available:

  • A patched version of the affected script(s) will be committed to main.
  • A GitHub Security Advisory will be published for confirmed, meaningful vulnerabilities.
  • Credit will be given to the reporter in the advisory and/or release notes, unless anonymity is requested.

We ask that you give us reasonable time to investigate and remediate before any public disclosure (coordinated disclosure), generally 90 days from initial report, unless otherwise agreed.

🎯 Scope

In Scope

  • Vulnerabilities in scripts contained within this repository (e.g., insecure subprocess calls, command injection, path traversal, insecure deserialization, hardcoded credentials, unsafe use of eval/exec, SSRF in API/web automation scripts, credential leakage, insecure default configurations)
  • Misuse of cloud SDKs (AWS/Azure/GCP) that could lead to privilege escalation or unintended resource exposure
  • Insecure handling of secrets, tokens, or SSH keys in example code
  • Supply-chain concerns involving pinned dependencies referenced by this repository

Out of Scope

  • Vulnerabilities in third-party libraries themselves (please report these directly to the upstream project, e.g., boto3, paramiko, psutil)
  • Issues requiring physical access to a user's machine
  • Vulnerabilities resulting from a user modifying scripts insecurely for their own environment
  • Social engineering or phishing attempts unrelated to repository content
  • Automated vulnerability scanner output submitted without validation or context

✅ Security Best Practices for Users

Since this repository contains example and educational automation scripts, please observe the following before using any script in a production environment:

  • 🔍 Review every script before execution — understand what it does, especially scripts that touch credentials, run shell commands, or make network/cloud API calls.
  • 🔑 Never hardcode secrets (API keys, passwords, tokens). Use environment variables, .env files (excluded via .gitignore), or a secrets manager (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager).
  • 🧪 Test in a staging/sandbox environment before running automation against production systems.
  • 🔒 Apply the principle of least privilege when configuring cloud IAM roles, SSH keys, or database credentials used by these scripts.
  • 📦 Keep dependencies updated — run pip list --outdated and audit with tools like pip-audit or safety regularly.
  • 🧾 Enable logging and monitoring for any script that performs destructive or system-altering operations (e.g., backup/restore, user management, firewall changes).
  • 🚫 Do not commit .env, credentials, .pem/.key files, or cloud config files to version control.

📢 Disclosure Policy

  • We follow a coordinated disclosure model: vulnerabilities are kept private until a fix is available and users have had reasonable time to update.
  • Publicly disclosed CVEs or advisories relevant to dependencies used in this repo will be noted in the repository's Issues or a SECURITY-ADVISORIES.md file if applicable.
  • Reporters acting in good faith, making a reasonable effort to avoid privacy violations, data destruction, or service disruption, and reporting through the proper channel above will not face legal action from the maintainer for their research.

🙏 Acknowledgments

We appreciate the security research community and everyone who responsibly discloses issues. Confirmed reporters will be credited here and/or in relevant advisories (unless anonymity is requested).

📬 Contact

Thank you for helping keep this project and its community secure. 🔐

There aren't any published security advisories