Outline: Reason

The Reason codebase is designed to enhance security and prevent potential exploits in the context of the run-python-helix-app project. This codebase operates on the principle of ensuring that only authorized code is executed.

The primary function of Reason is to implement a strict whitelist of allowed Python modules. This whitelist acts as a barrier, preventing the execution of unauthorized Python code.

Key Components of Reason

1. Whitelisting:

   • The reason.py file defines the whitelist of allowed Python modules.
   • It specifies the allowed modules by using their full module path.
   • For example: 'requests' for the requests library.
   • Source: reason.py file in the run-python-helix-app repository

2. Code Validation:

   • Reason intercepts calls to the import function.
   • Reason verifies if the requested module is present in the whitelist.
   • If the module is not whitelisted, Reason throws an exception, preventing its execution.
   • Source: reason.py file in the run-python-helix-app repository

Example Usage

Scenario: A user attempts to import a non-whitelisted module, os, to perform potentially malicious actions.

Reason’s Action:

# Example code
          import os
          
          # Reason intercepts the import request
          # Checks the whitelist - `os` is not whitelisted
          # Raises an exception, preventing the import
          # Execution of the malicious code is prevented
          

Configuration

• You can customize the allowed modules by modifying the whitelist in the reason.py file.
• Adding new modules to the whitelist requires careful consideration of potential security implications.
• Source: reason.py file in the run-python-helix-app repository