Malicious code in py-toolcontrol (pypi)

py-toolcontrol Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

25/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-5689: Malicious code in py-toolcontrol (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

py-toolcontrol is a package available on PyPI that provides tools for controlling and managing Python projects. It is commonly used for project automation and configuration management. However, this package has been found to contain malicious code.

Vulnerability Detail

The py-toolcontrol package has been compromised by the EsqueleSquad group, who published nearly 6000 malicious PyPi and NPM packages. These packages execute spyware and information-stealing malware. The specific vulnerability in py-toolcontrol allows the execution of malicious code, which can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activities.

How To Fix

This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.

pip uninstall py-toolcontrol

If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to take immediate action by removing the py-toolcontrol package and replacing it with a secure alternative.

Conclusion

The py-toolcontrol package available on PyPI has been compromised and contains malicious code. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activities. It is crucial to remove the package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly updating and monitoring the packages used in your project is essential to ensure the security of your software.

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FAQ

You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply provide your Pipfile.lock file, and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including the malicious code in py-toolcontrol.

The malicious code in py-toolcontrol can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, data theft, and the execution of additional malware on the affected system. It is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate these risks.

Yes, the recommended fix is to remove the py-toolcontrol package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly updating and monitoring the packages used in your project is also essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Yes, you can continue using other packages from PyPI. However, it is crucial to ensure that the packages you use are from trusted sources and regularly updated to avoid potential vulnerabilities.

If you have discovered this vulnerability or need further assistance, you can contact the Checkmarx team at supplychainsecurity@checkmarx.com or visit their website at https://bit.ly/checkmarx-malicious-packages.

How To Fix

This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.

pip uninstall py-toolcontrol

If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

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