Malicious code in urlreplace (PyPI)

urlreplace Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

25/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-7797: Malicious code in urlreplace (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The urlreplace package is an open-source Python package available on PyPI. It is designed to replace URLs in text with clickable links. The package allows developers to easily manipulate and modify URLs within their applications. However, a recent vulnerability has been discovered in the package, exposing users to potential security risks.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in the urlreplace package originates from a malicious code injection. The package was found to be part of a larger group of nearly 6000 malicious PyPi and NPM packages published by the EsqueleSquad group. These packages contain spyware and information-stealing malware. The specific impact of this vulnerability may vary depending on the actions performed by the injected code, but it poses a significant risk to the security and privacy of users who have installed the affected version of urlreplace.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall urlreplace

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

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to take immediate action by removing the affected version of urlreplace and following the recommended steps to fix the issue.

Conclusion

The urlreplace package has been found to contain a malicious code injection vulnerability, posing a significant risk to the security and privacy of users. It is crucial to take immediate action by removing the affected version of urlreplace and following the recommended steps to fix the issue. Regularly updating and reviewing the packages used in your application is essential to mitigate the risk of known vulnerabilities. For further support and assistance, 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, and Vulert will analyze it in real-time and alert you if any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one, are detected.

The malicious code injected into the urlreplace package can execute spyware and information-stealing malware. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and potential harm to users' privacy and security.

Yes, the recommended fix is to remove the affected version of urlreplace from your project and replace it with a secure alternative. Regularly updating and reviewing the packages used in your application is also crucial to mitigate the risk of known vulnerabilities.

This vulnerability was discovered by Checkmarx, a security research company specializing in identifying and reporting software vulnerabilities. They have provided detailed information about the vulnerability and steps to mitigate the risk.

For further support and assistance in remediating this vulnerability, you can contact info@devnack.com. They can provide guidance and resources to help secure your application and protect against potential threats.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall urlreplace

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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