Malicious code in pywolle (PyPI)

pywolle Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

19/05/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-8590: Malicious code in pywolle (PyPI). Affects pywolle versions 1.0.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

Pywolle is a package available on PyPI that provides functionality for manipulating woolen fabrics. It is commonly used by developers working on textile-related projects. However, this package has been found to contain malicious code that can exfiltrate host information using steganography. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to developers who unknowingly install and use this package.

Vulnerability Detail

The malicious code in pywolle, discovered by Checkmarx, is part of a campaign targeting developers. The payload is hidden using steganography, making it difficult to detect. Once installed, the package can exfiltrate host information, potentially compromising sensitive data. The malicious package can be identified by its SHA256 hash: 022272b8427ab42c0c793e5ec56175de59c7f142f82db252e890e9782845d762.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall pywolle

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 pywolle package and following the recommended steps to fix the issue.

Conclusion

The presence of malicious code in the pywolle package poses a significant risk to developers. It is recommended to remove the package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly reviewing and updating the packages used in your projects is essential to mitigate the risk of installing malicious code. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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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 pywolle.

Installing the malicious pywolle package can lead to the exfiltration of host information, potentially compromising sensitive data. It is crucial to remove the package and review any potential impact on your project.

The malicious pywolle package can be identified by its SHA256 hash: 022272b8427ab42c0c793e5ec56175de59c7f142f82db252e890e9782845d762. If you have installed this package, it is recommended to remove it immediately.

There is no fix available for the pywolle package itself, as it contains malicious code. The recommended course of action is to remove the package and find a trusted alternative.

To prevent similar vulnerabilities, it is crucial to regularly update and review the packages used in your projects. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall pywolle

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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