Malicious Code Exfiltration in transitive-req Package
Summary
MAL-2026-250: Malicious code in transitive-req (PyPI). Affects transitive-req versions 0.0.0 – 1.0.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The transitive-req package is a Python library available on PyPI, designed for managing dependencies in Python projects. However, it has been identified to contain 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 undermines the security and privacy of their systems.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's design, which includes code that executes during installation. Specifically, the package overrides the install command in setup.py to run malicious code that collects and sends basic information about the host system to an external source. This behavior is indicative of a malicious intent, as the package serves no legitimate purpose beyond data exfiltration. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive user information and a breach of system integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
pip uninstall transitive-reqIf 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 avoid installing the transitive-req package altogether. If it is already installed, it is recommended to remove it using the command: pip uninstall transitive-req.
Conclusion
The transitive-req package has been identified as containing malicious code that exfiltrates sensitive information from users' systems. It is crucial for users to uninstall this package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in identifying vulnerabilities in your applications.
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FAQ
transitive-req is a Python package designed for managing dependencies, but it has been found to contain malicious code that exfiltrates user data.
The vulnerability allows the package to collect sensitive information such as IP addresses and usernames without user consent, posing a security risk.
You should uninstall the transitive-req package immediately using the command: pip uninstall transitive-req.
As of now, there is no patched version available. Users are advised to uninstall the package until further notice.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
