Malicious code in vmpep (PyPI)

vmpep Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/02/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-7885: Malicious code in vmpep (PyPI). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The vmpep package is an open-source Python package available on PyPI. It is designed to provide functionality related to virtual machine performance monitoring and analysis. The package allows users to collect and analyze performance data from virtual machines. However, the package has been found to contain malicious code, which poses a significant security risk to users.

Vulnerability Detail

The vmpep package has been identified as part of a larger campaign by the EsqueleSquad group, who have published nearly 6000 malicious PyPi and NPM packages. These packages execute spyware and information-stealing malware. The specific vulnerability in vmpep allows the execution of malicious code, which can compromise the security and privacy of users' systems. The malicious code can potentially collect sensitive information, such as login credentials, and transmit it to unauthorized third parties.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmpep

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 vmpep package and follow the recommended steps for remediation.

Conclusion

The presence of malicious code in the vmpep package poses a significant security risk to users. It is crucial to take immediate action to remove the package and follow the recommended remediation steps. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for vmpep →

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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, and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including the malicious code in vmpep.

The malicious code in vmpep can lead to the compromise of sensitive information, such as login credentials, and unauthorized access to systems. This can result in data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.

No, there is no official patch available for this vulnerability. The recommended course of action is to remove the vmpep package and follow the provided remediation steps.

While this specific vulnerability affects the vmpep package, it is crucial to remain vigilant and regularly update all packages in your Python environment. Ensure that you only install packages from trusted sources and regularly monitor for any security advisories or updates.

If you come across any suspicious packages or vulnerabilities, it is recommended to report them to the PyPI maintainers and the relevant security teams. Additionally, you can use the Vulert platform (https://vulert.com) to report and track vulnerabilities in open-source packages.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall vmpep

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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