refactor(pi-permission-inner-cmd): dispatch commands through a handler registry

- replace the hardcoded timeout switch with an engine that iterates registered handlers
- extract the timeout logic into handlers/timeout.ts and add handlers/env.ts that defers env as non-transparent
- thread a partial-evidence bag so the engine exception log retains handler-derived values like innerCommand
- add CONTEXT.md with the transparent vs non-transparent wrapper glossary
- record ADR 0002: env always defers to the AI judge and is never unwrapped
This commit is contained in:
2026-08-12 00:12:41 +08:00
parent c00ae33031
commit 5134e85d32
8 changed files with 269 additions and 125 deletions
+21 -46
View File
@@ -1,53 +1,28 @@
# Permission Authorization
# pi-extensions
This context describes how ambiguous coding-agent operations are reviewed before they may execute.
Personal `pi` coding-agent extensions. This context covers the permission
extensions that inspect and re-evaluate Bash commands before they are allowed.
## Language
**Deterministic Permission Policy**:
The rule-based authority that classifies an operation as allowed, denied, or requiring a decision.
_Avoid_: Static judge
### Wrappers
**Authorization Judge**:
An independent reviewer that proposes a verdict for an operation the Deterministic Permission Policy could not decide.
_Avoid_: Bash parser, safety classifier
**Wrapper**:
A Bash command of the form `<program> [modifier-args] <inner-command>`, where the
authorization question is "what does the inner command do?". Whether a wrapper
may be unwrapped depends on whether its modifier args are transparent.
_Avoid_: command type, prefix command
**Shadow Mode**:
An observation mode in which an Authorization Judge records a verdict without changing whether the operation executes.
_Avoid_: Dry run
**Transparent wrapper**:
A wrapper whose modifier args do not change which program the inner command
resolves to or its trust boundary (e.g. `timeout`). Stripping the modifiers and
re-evaluating the inner command is sound: the verdict applies to the same
program that actually runs.
_Avoid_: safe wrapper
**Enforce Mode**:
An authority mode in which an Authorization Judge's allow verdict may approve an operation. In the initial rollout, deny and defer still pass to the next authority.
_Avoid_: Production mode
**Judge Participation**:
The presence of an Authorization Judge in the configured authorizer chain. Participation determines whether the Judge is consulted, independently of whether it is in Shadow Mode or Enforce Mode.
_Avoid_: Enabled, installed
**Defer**:
A verdict stating that the available information or the judge itself is insufficient to decide, leaving the decision to the next authority.
_Avoid_: Deny, error
**False Allow**:
A Shadow Mode outcome in which the Authorization Judge proposes approval and the human reviewer rejects the same permission request.
_Avoid_: False positive
**Requesting Session**:
The session in which the operation requiring authorization originated. For a forwarded request, this is the child session.
_Avoid_: Current session
**Serving Session**:
The authority-bearing session that resolves a forwarded request and runs its configured Authorization Judge before the terminal human authority.
_Avoid_: Parent context, current session
**Conversation Owner**:
The session whose conversation entries are supplied to an Authorization Judge. It may differ from the Requesting Session for forwarded requests.
_Avoid_: Requester
**Judgment Evidence**:
The minimal operation, execution, user-intent, and forwarded-provenance facts supplied to an Authorization Judge for one verdict. Adapter validation state and review-log metadata are not Judgment Evidence.
_Avoid_: Judge request, full request context
**Execution Working Directory**:
The working directory of the Requesting Session in which an operation will execute and relative paths are resolved. For a forwarded request, it must not be replaced with the Serving Session's working directory.
_Avoid_: Current cwd, parent cwd
**Non-transparent wrapper**:
A wrapper whose modifier args change the inner command's resolution or effect
(e.g. `env`, whose `PATH=` or `-i` can make the inner name resolve to a
different binary). Stripping the modifiers and re-evaluating the inner command
is unsound: the verdict may apply to a different program than the one that runs.
_Avoid_: unsafe wrapper
+61
View File
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
---
status: accepted
---
# Defer `env` to the AI judge; inner-cmd never unwraps it
`env` is the second command type considered for `pi-permission-inner-cmd`'s
deterministic unwrapping. We decided inner-cmd **always defers** `env` — it
never strips modifiers or re-evaluates an inner command — and lets the AI judge
authority handle `env` commands together with their full environment context.
## Why
`env` is a *non-transparent wrapper*: its modifier args (`NAME=VALUE`, `-i`,
`-u`, `-C`, `-S`) form an unbounded, implicit input channel that the
command-string policy cannot see. Stripping them and re-evaluating the inner
command is unsound, because the modifiers can change what actually runs without
changing the inner command string:
- `PATH=/evil` — resolve the inner name to a different binary;
- `LD_PRELOAD=/x.so`, `LD_LIBRARY_PATH` — inject arbitrary native code into the
inner binary before its `main()`;
- `BASH_ENV`, `PYTHONPATH`, `NODE_OPTIONS`, `PERL5OPT`, … — source scripts or
inject code into the inner command's runtime;
- `-i`, `-u NAME`, `-C DIR` — alter the execution context.
A "detect dangerous variables and defer" denylist is infeasible: the dangerous
set is open-ended (new runtimes keep introducing new `*_OPT` / `*_PATH`
injection variables), so any denylist is permanently incomplete, and one miss is
an RCE. Detecting "does *any* modifier exist" is trivial and complete, but the
only sound unwrap case is bare `env <cmd>` (zero modifiers), which is too rare in
practice to justify the shell parsing it would require (assignment/flag
detection, `-S`, `--`, `/usr/bin/env` basename, quoting).
## Considered options
- **Detect a `PATH=` override, otherwise unwrap** — rejected as false security:
`LD_PRELOAD` and the interpreter-injection variables defeat it without
touching `PATH`.
- **Unwrap only bare `env <cmd>` (zero modifiers)** — sound, but bare `env` is
rarely written and the boundary parsing adds real complexity for near-zero
coverage. Not worth it.
- **Always defer (chosen)** — zero parsing risk, zero soundness surface;
non-transparent commands get the semantic judgement they require from the AI
judge.
## Consequences
This establishes a clean division between the two permission authorities:
- **inner-cmd (deterministic)** unwraps only *transparent* wrappers (`timeout`)
— sound, fast, narrow. Every uncertain or non-transparent command defers
fail-closed.
- **The AI judge authority** receives deferred commands (including `env`) and
reasons about the full command *with* its environment, where non-transparency
can be understood semantically rather than stripped.
This is why the AI judge consumes the full recovered command from the shared
recovery module (ADR 0001) — it needs the complete input, modifiers included, to
judge non-transparent wrappers. See `CONTEXT.md` for the transparent /
non-transparent wrapper distinction.
@@ -5,14 +5,11 @@ import type {
PermissionQuery,
PromptPermissionDetails,
} from "@gotgenes/pi-permission-system";
import { classifyWrapper, isRecognizedWrapper } from "./recognizer";
import {
NATIVE_BASH_TOOL_NAME,
recoverNativeBashCommand,
} from "@sikongjueluo/pi-permission-shared";
/** Bash permission surface queried when re-evaluating the inner command. */
const BASH_SURFACE = "bash";
import { handlers } from "./handlers";
/** Convert a thrown value into a short, log-safe string. */
function toErrorString(error: unknown): string {
@@ -49,24 +46,22 @@ export interface InnerCommandAuthorizerDeps {
}
/**
* V0.1 inner-command Authorizer decision (ADR 0001).
* Inner-command Authorizer decision (ADR 0001).
*
* Recovers the complete native Bash command for `details.toolCallId` from the
* captured session, unwraps one strict `timeout` level, and re-evaluates the
* inner command through the deterministic permission policy. Every uncertain
* path — forwarded requests, a session-identity mismatch, non-Bash tools,
* missing/duplicate/malformed session evidence, unsupported or nested wrapper
* syntax, parse failures, and exceptions — defers to the next authority.
* Revalidates root ownership, recovers the complete native Bash command for
* `details.toolCallId` from the captured session, then hands it to the first
* registered handler that claims it. Each handler owns its own recognition and
* verdict logic: the timeout handler unwraps one level and re-evaluates the
* inner command; the env handler defers as non-transparent.
*
* Logging contract:
* - `review` only for a recognized wrapper whose inner command resolves to a
* decisive `allow`/`deny`.
* - `debug` for a recognized inner `ask`, unsupported timeout syntax, nested
* wrappers, a session-identity mismatch, and exceptions.
* - ordinary non-timeout commands defer silently.
* - recognized logs carry both `command` and `innerCommand`; an exception after
* recognition retains both alongside `error`, while an earlier exception logs
* only the safe data available at that point.
* Every uncertain path — forwarded requests, a session-identity mismatch,
* non-Bash tools, missing session evidence, an unrecognized command, or any
* exception — defers to the next authority (fail-closed).
*
* Logging: handlers emit their own review/debug events for decisive and
* notable-defer outcomes; silent deferrals log nothing. Exceptions are logged
* by this engine as `inner_cmd.exception`, retaining the recovered command and
* any partial evidence the active handler recorded before throwing.
*/
export async function authorizeInnerCommand(
deps: InnerCommandAuthorizerDeps,
@@ -75,18 +70,17 @@ export async function authorizeInnerCommand(
// Track recovered evidence so an exception after recognition can retain it.
let command: string | undefined;
let innerCommand: string | undefined;
let evidence: Record<string, unknown> = {};
try {
// Forwarded subagent asks are out of scope for v0.1: the captured
// session is the serving root's conversation, not the requester's.
// Forwarded subagent asks are out of scope: the captured session is the
// serving root's conversation, not the requester's.
if (details.forwarding) {
return { kind: "defer" };
}
// Revalidate root ownership: the live session must still be the one we
// registered for. A mismatch (or a session id that cannot be read)
// means the captured conversation can no longer be attributed safely.
// registered for.
const currentSessionId = session.getSessionId();
if (currentSessionId !== expectedSessionId) {
log.debug("inner_cmd.session_mismatch", {
@@ -113,59 +107,15 @@ export async function authorizeInnerCommand(
return { kind: "defer" };
}
const classification = classifyWrapper(command);
switch (classification.kind) {
case "nonTimeout":
// An ordinary Bash command this authorizer does not unwrap.
return { kind: "defer" };
case "unsupportedTimeout":
log.debug("inner_cmd.unsupported_timeout_syntax", { command });
return { kind: "defer" };
case "recognized": {
innerCommand = classification.match.innerCommand;
// Never unwrap more than one level in v0.1.
if (isRecognizedWrapper(innerCommand)) {
log.debug("inner_cmd.nested_timeout", {
command,
innerCommand,
});
return { kind: "defer" };
}
const result = query.checkPermission(
BASH_SURFACE,
innerCommand,
details.agentName ?? undefined,
);
switch (result.state) {
case "allow":
log.review("inner_cmd.allow", {
command,
innerCommand,
});
return { kind: "allow" };
case "deny":
log.review("inner_cmd.deny", {
command,
innerCommand,
});
return { kind: "deny" };
case "ask":
default:
// Treat any unexpected state as a safe defer.
log.debug("inner_cmd.inner_ask", {
command,
innerCommand,
});
return { kind: "defer" };
}
// Dispatch to the first registered handler that claims the command.
for (const handler of handlers) {
evidence = {};
const verdict = handler.decide({ command, details, query, log, evidence });
if (verdict !== undefined) {
return verdict;
}
}
return { kind: "defer" };
} catch (error) {
const exceptionDetails: Record<string, unknown> = {
error: toErrorString(error),
@@ -173,9 +123,7 @@ export async function authorizeInnerCommand(
if (command !== undefined) {
exceptionDetails.command = command;
}
if (innerCommand !== undefined) {
exceptionDetails.innerCommand = innerCommand;
}
Object.assign(exceptionDetails, evidence);
log.debug("inner_cmd.exception", exceptionDetails);
return { kind: "defer" };
}
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
import type { CommandHandler } from "./types";
/** Matches a command whose leading program is `env`. */
const ENV_PREFIX = /^env(?:[ \t]|$)/;
/**
* The `env` wrapper handler.
*
* `env` is non-transparent: its modifier args (`NAME=VALUE`, `-i`, `-u`) can
* change which binary the inner command resolves to (e.g. a `PATH=` override),
* so stripping them and re-evaluating the inner command is unsound. `env` is
* therefore claimed but always deferred — it never unwraps. Commands not
* starting with `env` return `undefined` so the engine can try the next
* handler.
*/
export const envHandler: CommandHandler = {
id: "env",
decide({ command, log }) {
if (!ENV_PREFIX.test(command)) {
return undefined;
}
log.debug("inner_cmd.env_non_transparent", { command });
return { kind: "defer" };
},
};
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
import { envHandler } from "./env";
import { timeoutHandler } from "./timeout";
import type { CommandHandler } from "./types";
/**
* Registered command handlers, tried in order. The first to return a verdict
* claims the command; the rest are not consulted. Add a handler here (and a
* new file under `handlers/`) to support a new command type.
*/
export const handlers: readonly CommandHandler[] = [timeoutHandler, envHandler];
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
import { classifyWrapper, isRecognizedWrapper } from "../recognizer";
import type { CommandHandler } from "./types";
/** Bash permission surface queried when re-evaluating the inner command. */
const BASH_SURFACE = "bash";
/**
* The strict simple-timeout wrapper handler (ADR 0001).
*
* Unwraps `timeout <duration> <command>`, rejects nested wrappers, and
* re-evaluates the complete inner program through the deterministic policy.
* Unsupported timeout syntax and nested wrappers defer with a debug log.
* Commands that are not timeout at all return `undefined` so the engine can try
* the next handler.
*/
export const timeoutHandler: CommandHandler = {
id: "timeout",
decide(ctx) {
const { command, details, query, log, evidence } = ctx;
const classification = classifyWrapper(command);
switch (classification.kind) {
case "nonTimeout":
return undefined;
case "unsupportedTimeout":
log.debug("inner_cmd.unsupported_timeout_syntax", { command });
return { kind: "defer" };
case "recognized": {
const innerCommand = classification.match.innerCommand;
// Record the derived inner command so the engine's exception
// log retains it if the re-evaluation below throws.
evidence.innerCommand = innerCommand;
if (isRecognizedWrapper(innerCommand)) {
log.debug("inner_cmd.nested_timeout", { command, innerCommand });
return { kind: "defer" };
}
const result = query.checkPermission(
BASH_SURFACE,
innerCommand,
details.agentName ?? undefined,
);
switch (result.state) {
case "allow":
log.review("inner_cmd.allow", { command, innerCommand });
return { kind: "allow" };
case "deny":
log.review("inner_cmd.deny", { command, innerCommand });
return { kind: "deny" };
case "ask":
default:
log.debug("inner_cmd.inner_ask", { command, innerCommand });
return { kind: "defer" };
}
}
}
},
};
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
import type {
AuthorizerLog,
AuthorizerVerdict,
PermissionQuery,
PromptPermissionDetails,
} from "@gotgenes/pi-permission-system";
/** Context handed to a handler for one recovered command. */
export interface HandlerContext {
/** The full recovered Bash command. */
readonly command: string;
readonly details: PromptPermissionDetails;
readonly query: PermissionQuery;
readonly log: AuthorizerLog;
/**
* Partial-result bag. A handler that recognizes the command records derived
* values here (e.g. `ctx.evidence.innerCommand = innerCommand`) so the
* engine's exception log retains them if `decide` later throws. The engine
* resets this bag per handler.
*/
readonly evidence: Record<string, unknown>;
}
/**
* A self-contained verdict strategy for one kind of Bash command.
*
* The engine walks registered handlers in order; the first that returns a
* verdict claims the command. Returning `undefined` means "not mine" and lets
* the engine try the next handler.
*/
export interface CommandHandler {
/** Stable id for logs, e.g. "timeout". */
readonly id: string;
/**
* Inspect the command: return a verdict to claim it (the engine stops), or
* `undefined` to pass to the next handler.
*/
decide(ctx: HandlerContext): AuthorizerVerdict | undefined;
}
@@ -402,6 +402,36 @@ describe("authorizeInnerCommand — fail-closed deferrals", () => {
});
});
describe("authorizeInnerCommand — env wrapper", () => {
it("defers on an env wrapper with a debug log (non-transparent)", async () => {
const { verdict, log, check } = await run({
recoveredCommand: "env FOO=bar pnpm test",
states: { "pnpm test": "allow" },
});
expect(verdict.kind).toBe("defer");
// env is non-transparent: never unwrapped, so the inner command is not
// re-evaluated through the deterministic policy.
expect(check).toEqual([]);
expect(log).toEqual([
{
level: "debug",
event: "inner_cmd.env_non_transparent",
details: { command: "env FOO=bar pnpm test" },
},
]);
});
it("does not claim a command that only contains env later", async () => {
// Starts with printf, not env -> no handler claims it -> silent defer.
const { verdict, log } = await run({
recoveredCommand: "printf hi; env | sort",
states: {},
});
expect(verdict.kind).toBe("defer");
expect(log).toEqual([]);
});
});
describe("authorizeInnerCommand — exceptions defer with a debug log", () => {
it("defers when reading the session id throws (logs only safe data)", async () => {
const { verdict, log } = await run({