Malicious Code Vulnerability in py-worm: Persistent Job for Remote Code Execution
Summary
MAL-2026-17883: Malicious code in py-worm (PyPI). Affects py-worm versions 0.1.0 – 2.0.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The py-worm package, available on PyPI, is designed for various Python functionalities. However, it has been identified to contain malicious code that installs a persistent job on the victim's machine. This job allows attackers to exfiltrate files and execute remote commands, posing a significant security risk to users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious campaign identified as 2026-10-agentaix, attributed to the source 'kam193'. The package installs a persistent job that enables attackers to exfiltrate files and execute remote code on the victim's machine. The malicious code includes functionalities for file exfiltration, persistence, and the ability to download and execute remote scripts, making it a Remote Access Trojan (RAT). This poses severe risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall py-wormIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, users can uninstall the py-worm package to prevent any malicious activity. This can be done using the command: 'pip uninstall py-worm'. Additionally, users should monitor their systems for any unauthorized changes or suspicious activities.
Conclusion
The py-worm package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to users. It is crucial to update or uninstall the package to mitigate these risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for py-worm →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves malicious code that allows attackers to exfiltrate files and execute remote commands on the victim's machine.
If you have the py-worm package installed, your system may be at risk. You can use tools like Vulert to monitor and alert for vulnerabilities in your software.
You should immediately uninstall the package and monitor your system for any suspicious activity.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
The consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential data loss due to file exfiltration.
