Malicious code in xmlbuilder3 (PyPI)

xmlbuilder3 Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

09/10/2023
CRITICAL
No i
Critical
Not published

MAL-2023-8309: Malicious code in xmlbuilder3 (PyPI). Affects xmlbuilder3 versions 0.0.2. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The xmlbuilder3 package is an open-source library available on PyPI. It is designed to facilitate the creation and manipulation of XML documents in Python. The package provides a simple and intuitive API for generating XML structures programmatically. However, the xmlbuilder3 package has been identified as containing malicious code.

Vulnerability Detail

The xmlbuilder3 package has been flagged as malicious due to its communication with a domain associated with malicious activity. This behavior raises concerns about the security and integrity of the package. The presence of malicious code in the package can potentially lead to various security risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and the execution of arbitrary code on affected systems.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall xmlbuilder3

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. However, you can consider using alternative XML manipulation libraries that are well-maintained and have a good reputation for security.

Conclusion

The xmlbuilder3 package has been identified as containing malicious code, posing potential security risks to applications that use it. It is recommended to uninstall the package and consider using alternative XML manipulation libraries. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to 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. The Vulert Playground allows you to analyze your Pipfile.lock and provides real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.

No, there is no fix available for the xmlbuilder3 package. It is recommended to uninstall the package and consider using alternative libraries.

Using the xmlbuilder3 package can expose your application to various security risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and the execution of arbitrary code on affected systems.

Yes, you can continue using other packages from PyPI. However, it is crucial to ensure that you only install packages from trusted sources and regularly update them to mitigate the risk of using vulnerable or malicious packages.

To stay updated on security advisories for Python packages, you can subscribe to security mailing lists, follow security-focused websites and blogs, and regularly check for updates from the official package repositories.

How To Fix

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

pip uninstall xmlbuilder3

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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