Malicious Code Vulnerability in nump Package: Typosquatting and Dependency Confusion
Summary
MAL-2026-2013: Malicious code in nump (PyPI). Affects nump versions 1 – 5.5.5.5. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The nump package, available on PyPI, is a Python library that appears to be a legitimate package but is actually a malicious entity. It is designed to exploit users through typosquatting and dependency confusion, potentially leading to harmful actions during installation. Users may mistakenly install this package thinking it is a legitimate library, unaware of its malicious intent.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the nump package being a typosquatting attempt, where the package name closely resembles a legitimate package. It overrides the install command in setup.py to execute malicious code during installation. This could lead to unauthorized actions on the user's system, such as creating flag files or other low-harm local actions. The package is categorized under PROBABLY_PENTEST, indicating it mimics typical pentesting tools but poses risks due to its deceptive nature.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall numpIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid installing packages that are similar in name to well-known libraries. Always verify the package source and check for any reported vulnerabilities before installation.
Conclusion
The nump package poses a significant risk due to its malicious nature, exploiting users through typosquatting and dependency confusion. It is essential to be vigilant when installing packages and to utilize tools like Vulert for monitoring vulnerabilities in your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for nump →
FAQ
Typosquatting is a malicious practice where attackers create a package with a name similar to a legitimate package, hoping users will mistakenly install it.
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If you have installed the nump package, uninstall it immediately using 'pip uninstall nump' and ensure you install the correct package you intended to use.
Installing malicious packages can lead to unauthorized access, data loss, or other harmful actions on your system, even if the immediate actions seem low-harm.
Always verify the source of packages, check for reported vulnerabilities, and use tools like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for known issues.
