Malicious code in virtualurl (PyPI)

virtualurl Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-7836: Malicious code in virtualurl (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The virtualurl package is an open-source Python package available on PyPI. It is designed to provide functionality for handling virtual URLs. These URLs are used to represent virtual resources that may not have a direct file path. The package is commonly used in various Python projects to manage virtual resources efficiently. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code, which poses a significant security risk to applications that utilize it.

Vulnerability Detail

The virtualurl 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 virtualurl allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system where the package is installed. This can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential compromise of the entire system. The malicious code can be triggered when the package is imported or when specific functions or methods are called.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall virtualurl

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 remove the virtualurl package and follow the recommended steps to ensure the security of your system.

Conclusion

The virtualurl package has been found to contain malicious code, posing a significant security risk to applications that use it. It is crucial to remove the package from your project and take immediate steps to mitigate the impact. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply provide your Pipfile.lock, and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including this specific issue.

No, the entire virtualurl package has been compromised. It is strongly advised to remove the package entirely from your project and find alternative solutions.

The consequences of this vulnerability can be severe. Attackers can execute arbitrary code on the system, leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential compromise of the entire system. It is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

No, there is no fix available for virtualurl. The package has been compromised, and it is recommended to remove it from your project.

To ensure the security of your Python projects, it is essential to regularly update your dependencies, use reputable package sources, and employ security tools like Vulert to monitor and detect any vulnerabilities in your software.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall virtualurl

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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