Critical Malicious Code Vulnerability in mcp-pdftool-plus Package
Summary
MAL-2026-603: Malicious code in mcp-pdftool-plus (PyPI). Affects mcp-pdftool-plus versions 0.1.3 – 0.1.5. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mcp-pdftool-plus package, available on PyPI, is designed for manipulating PDF files. It offers various functionalities that allow users to create, modify, and extract information from PDF documents. However, this package has been compromised, introducing a severe security risk that can lead to unauthorized access and control over users' systems.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded within the mcp-pdftool-plus package. This code initiates a reverse shell when the library is used, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine. The presence of this malicious code poses significant risks, including data theft, system compromise, and potential exploitation of the victim's environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall mcp-pdftool-plusIf 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 should refrain from using the mcp-pdftool-plus package until it has been updated to a secure version. Additionally, consider using alternative libraries for PDF manipulation that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The mcp-pdftool-plus package has been compromised with malicious code that can lead to severe security risks. Users are urged to update to the latest patched versions and consider alternative libraries for PDF manipulation. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help maintain software security.
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FAQ
mcp-pdftool-plus is a Python package designed for manipulating PDF files, allowing users to create and modify PDF documents.
The vulnerability is a malicious code injection that creates a reverse shell, enabling attackers to execute commands on the victim's machine.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If you have installed the affected package, you should update it to a patched version immediately using the command: pip install --upgrade mcp-pdftool-plus.
Yes, there are several alternative libraries for PDF manipulation, such as PyPDF2 and pdfminer, which do not have this vulnerability.
