Menu

  • Alerts
  • Incidents
  • News
  • APTs
  • Cyber Decoded
  • Cyber Hygiene
  • Cyber Review
  • Cyber Tips
  • Definitions
  • Malware
  • Threat Actors
  • Tutorials

Useful Tools

  • Password generator
  • Report an incident
  • Report to authorities
No Result
View All Result
CTF Hack Havoc
CyberMaterial
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
Hall of Hacks
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
No Result
View All Result
Hall of Hacks
CyberMaterial
No Result
View All Result
Home Alerts

Python Typosquat Campaign Unleashes Malware

November 19, 2023
Reading Time: 9 mins read
in Alerts
Python Typosquat Campaign Unleashes Malware

An undisclosed threat actor has deployed a prolonged campaign publishing typosquat packages on the Python Package Index (PyPI), designed to distribute malware and compromise IT experts. Over a six-month period, these 27 malicious packages, such as pyefflorer and pywool, cunningly posed as popular Python libraries, successfully amassing thousands of downloads worldwide, with a notable focus on the U.S., China, and Europe.

Employing a covert approach, the attacker utilized steganography, hiding a malicious payload within an innocuous image file to enhance the attack’s stealthiness. These packages used various tactics, including VBScript deployment and alternate attack chains involving the concealment of executable code within PNG images, aiming at achieving persistence, stealing sensitive information, and potentially accessing cryptocurrency wallets.

A critical aspect of the attack was the utilization of the setup.py script, embedding references to other malicious packages, such as pystob and pywool. These packages orchestrated a VBScript to download and execute a file named “Runtime.exe,” ensuring persistence on the affected system. The malware, embedded within the binary, had the capability to extract information from web browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, and other applications.

Notably, the packages Pystob and Pywool, disguised as API management tools, were found to exfiltrate data to a Discord webhook and attempt to maintain persistence by placing a VBS file in the Windows startup folder. This incident underscores the constant threats present in collaborative coding environments and the risks of open-source ecosystems.

Simultaneously, a separate discovery by ReversingLabs identified protestware npm packages that embedded scripts conveying messages of peace related to conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and the Gaza Strip.

In this context, the ongoing challenges in securing open-source ecosystems are further highlighted by GitGuardian’s revelation of thousands of exposed secrets in PyPI projects, including AWS keys, GitHub OAuth app keys, and database credentials. Given the escalating attacks on the software supply chain, the U.S. government has issued new guidance emphasizing the need for risk assessments and enhanced security practices among software developers and suppliers.

Reference:
  • Attacker – hidden in plain sight for nearly six months – targeting Python developers
Tags: Cyber AlertCyber Alerts 2023Cyber AttacksCybersecurityNovember 2023PyPIPythonThreat ActorsTyposquatting
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Glibc Flaw Gives Linux Root Access Risk

Mozilla Urgent Firefox Patch Fixes RCE Flaws

May 19, 2025
Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

ModiLoader Malware Targets Windows Users

May 19, 2025
Glibc Flaw Gives Linux Root Access Risk

Glibc Flaw Gives Linux Root Access Risk

May 19, 2025
Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

APT28 RoundPress Webmail Hack Steals Emails

May 16, 2025
Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

FBI Warns of AI Voice Phishing Scams

May 16, 2025
Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

May 16, 2025

Latest Alerts

Mozilla Urgent Firefox Patch Fixes RCE Flaws

ModiLoader Malware Targets Windows Users

Glibc Flaw Gives Linux Root Access Risk

Fileless Remcos RAT Delivery Via LNK Files

FBI Warns of AI Voice Phishing Scams

APT28 RoundPress Webmail Hack Steals Emails

Subscribe to our newsletter

    Latest Incidents

    Massive DDoS Hits Poland’s Civic Platform

    Arla Plant Cyberattack Halts Operations

    Georgia’s Harbin Clinic Hit by Data Breach

    Hackers Target Swiss Reserve Power Plant

    Coinbase Insider Attack Exposed User Data

    Cyberattack Hits J Batista Group

    CyberMaterial Logo
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Legal and Privacy Policy
    • Site Map

    © 2025 | CyberMaterial | All rights reserved

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In

    Add New Playlist

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Definitions
    • Malware
    • Cyber Tips
    • Tutorials
    • Advanced Persistent Threats
    • Threat Actors
    • Report an incident
    • Password Generator
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us

    Copyright © 2025 CyberMaterial