Malicious code in superreplace (PyPI)

superreplace Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

25/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-6860: Malicious code in superreplace (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

superreplace is a Python package available on PyPI that provides functionality for advanced string replacement. It is commonly used in Python projects for manipulating and modifying strings. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code, which poses a significant security risk to applications that use it.

Vulnerability Detail

The superreplace 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 superreplace allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading 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 superreplace

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 remove the superreplace package and replace it with a secure alternative.

Conclusion

The superreplace package on PyPI has been compromised by the EsqueleSquad group, leading to the presence of malicious code. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to applications using the package, potentially resulting in unauthorized access and data theft. It is crucial to remove the superreplace package and replace it with a trusted alternative. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact 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 superreplace.

The malicious code in superreplace can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and the execution of other malicious activities on the affected system. It is crucial to address this vulnerability promptly to mitigate these risks.

There is no fix available for the superreplace package itself, as it has been compromised by the EsqueleSquad group. The recommended solution is to remove the package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative.

To ensure the security of your Python project, it is important to regularly update and monitor the packages used in your project. Use a vulnerability monitoring tool like Vulert to receive real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities. Additionally, follow best practices for secure coding and consider conducting regular security audits.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall superreplace

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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