Python’s dominance as a programming language makes it a prime target for security risks. Security is never guaranteed: a solid architecture helps, but even well-written code—including AI-generated code—is not secure by default.
The gold guiding principle for protecting your systems is simple: never trust, always verify (Zero Trust). Cybersecurity is inherently complex and mistakes are inevitable, proactive verification is an indispensable safeguard.
Python is the most widely used programming language worldwide. Many great Python programs and libraries are available on the official Python repository: PyPI.org.
Creating secure Python programs is a complex skill. So not all Python programs published on PyPI.org are created with security in mind and with the use of Python Secure Coding Guidelines. But before you install any Python program from PyPI.org with the simple command:
pip install <package-name>You should validate the Python program or library on code weaknesses. This can be done with one simple command:
codeaudit filescan <package-name> [reportname.html]You may specify a custom name for the HTML report that will be created, but this is not necessary. Python Code Audit does not install the program; it analyses the Python code safely by making use of Python’s AST (Abstract Syntax Tree) technology.
Prerequisite
Before running the codeaudit command a prerequisite is that you have Python Code Audit installed. This can be done with a single command:
pip install -U codeauditPython Code Audit is an advanced SAST tool that automates the review of Python source code to identify potential security vulnerabilities. It is designed to be simple and safe to use, catering both to security specialists and to users who want to check possible risks in a Python program before installing and running it. The manual provides detailed explanations of any found code weaknesses. Depending on your context, you must decide whether the weaknesses found pose a risk, or if you are confident enough to install and run the program.
Adhering to a simple checklist is the most effective way to prevent security disasters when running Python programs. The complete checklist to help you mitigate security risks before executing any unknown or third-party Python program is provided below:
