Dependency Confusion Vulnerability in hultine Package
Summary
MAL-2026-624: Malicious code in hultine (PyPI). Affects hultine versions 1.0.1 – 2.0.4. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The hultine package, available on PyPI, is designed for various functionalities that may include testing and exploration within Python environments. However, it has been identified as vulnerable to dependency confusion attacks, which can lead to the execution of malicious code under certain conditions. This vulnerability arises from the package's exploitation of dependency resolution mechanisms in Python, allowing attackers to introduce malicious versions of packages that mimic legitimate ones.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the hultine package stems from its exploitation of dependency confusion, where an attacker can create a package with a similar name to a legitimate one, tricking the package manager into downloading the malicious version instead. This specific instance involves a beacon request that reports usage back to the attacker without exfiltrating additional information. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to user data and execution of arbitrary code, which can compromise the integrity of the application using this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall hultineIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid using the hultine package until the vulnerability is fully addressed. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The hultine package is vulnerable to a dependency confusion attack, which can lead to the execution of malicious code. Users are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
Dependency confusion is a type of attack where an attacker uploads a malicious package with the same name as a legitimate package, tricking the package manager into downloading the malicious version.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider using alternative packages or temporarily disabling the functionality that relies on hultine until a fix is applied.
More information can be found in the vulnerability report on GitHub or through the Open Source Vulnerability database.
While the current implementation does not exfiltrate additional information, the potential for unauthorized access and execution of arbitrary code poses significant risks.
