Malicious code in vmgui (PyPI)

vmgui Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

23/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-7876: Malicious code in vmgui (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The vmgui package is an open-source Python package available on PyPI. It is designed to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for virtual machine management. It offers functionality for creating, configuring, and managing virtual machines. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code.

Vulnerability Detail

The vmgui package has been identified as one of the nearly 6000 malicious PyPi packages published by the EsqueleSquad group. These packages execute spyware and information-stealing malware. The specific vulnerability in vmgui allows unauthorized access to sensitive information and potentially compromises the security of the system. The malicious code can be triggered when using the affected package, leading to the execution of the spyware and information-stealing malware.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmgui

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 vmgui package and replacing it with a secure alternative.

Conclusion

The vmgui package on PyPI has been found to contain malicious code, which can lead to unauthorized access and the execution of spyware and information-stealing malware. It is crucial to remove the package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly reviewing and updating the packages used in your project is essential to ensure their security. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact Vulert at 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 in real-time and alert you if any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one, are found.

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and the execution of spyware and information-stealing malware. It can compromise the security and privacy of the system and potentially result in data breaches or unauthorized surveillance.

Yes, the recommended fix is to remove the vmgui package from your project and replace it with a trusted alternative. Regularly updating and reviewing the packages used in your project is also crucial to ensure they are from trusted sources.

While this specific vulnerability is related to the vmgui package, it is essential to exercise caution when using any packages from PyPI. It is recommended to verify the reputation and trustworthiness of the package and its maintainer before including it in your project.

If you come across any other malicious packages or vulnerabilities, you can report them to the package maintainer or the PyPI security team. Additionally, you can also report them to Vulert at info@devnack.com, and they will assist you in addressing the issue.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmgui

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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