Malicious code in vmcandy (PyPI)

vmcandy Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

23/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-7869: Malicious code in vmcandy (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

vmcandy is a package available on PyPI that provides functionality related to virtual machine management. It is used by developers to interact with virtual machines and perform various operations. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code, which poses a significant security risk to users.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in vmcandy arises from the presence of malicious code introduced by the EsqueleSquad group. This group has published nearly 6000 malicious PyPi and NPM packages, including vmcandy, that execute spyware and information-stealing malware. The malicious code can compromise the security of systems using vmcandy, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other harmful consequences.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmcandy

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 specific workaround available for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to remove the malicious package and replace it with a secure alternative.

Conclusion

The presence of malicious code in the vmcandy package poses a significant security risk to users. It is crucial to promptly remove and replace the package with a trusted alternative to mitigate the potential consequences. Regularly updating dependencies and exercising caution when selecting packages from PyPI can help enhance the security of your applications. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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FAQ

You can use the Vulert playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply provide your Pipfile.lock file, and Vulert will analyze it to identify any vulnerable dependencies, including vmcandy.

Using the compromised vmcandy package can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and the installation of spyware or information-stealing malware on your system. It can lead to significant security risks and potential harm to your application and its users.

At the time of this report, there have been no specific reports of this vulnerability being actively exploited. However, given the presence of malicious code in the package, it is crucial to take immediate action to remove and replace it to prevent any potential exploitation.

While PyPI is a widely used package repository, it is essential to exercise caution and verify the trustworthiness of the packages you use. Regularly updating your dependencies, checking for security advisories, and reviewing the package's source code and community support can help ensure the reliability and security of the packages you include in your projects.

If you come across a malicious package on PyPI or any other package repository, it is crucial to report it to the repository maintainers and the security community. This helps in raising awareness and taking appropriate actions to mitigate the risk for other users.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmcandy

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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