Malicious Code Exfiltration in threading-helper Package
Summary
MAL-2025-191898: Malicious code in threading-helper (PyPI). Affects threading-helper versions 0.0.1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The threading-helper package, available on PyPI, is designed to assist with threading operations in Python applications. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that exfiltrates sensitive information from the host system, such as IP addresses and usernames. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to users who install or import this package, as it serves no legitimate purpose beyond data theft.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the threading-helper package, specifically in its setup.py file, which overrides the install command to execute harmful actions during installation. This code is designed to exfiltrate basic information about the host system, leading to potential privacy breaches and unauthorized data access. The package has been categorized under PROBABLY_PENTEST, indicating its deceptive nature as a typical pentesting tool while posing a low-risk threat.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall threading-helperIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can avoid using the threading-helper package altogether and seek alternative libraries that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, users can monitor their systems for any unauthorized data exfiltration activities.
Conclusion
The threading-helper package has been identified as a malicious tool that exfiltrates sensitive information from users' systems. Immediate uninstallation is recommended, and users should seek alternative libraries for threading operations. Monitoring tools like Vulert can help keep applications secure from such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The threading-helper package is a Python library intended to assist with threading operations, but it has been compromised to include malicious code.
The malicious code executes during the installation of the package, exfiltrating sensitive information such as IP addresses and usernames from the host system.
You should uninstall the threading-helper package immediately using the command 'pip uninstall threading-helper' to prevent any data exfiltration.
Yes, there are several other libraries available for threading operations in Python, such as 'threading' from the standard library or 'concurrent.futures'.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
