# MAL-2024-12292: Malicious code in instaread (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `instaread` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 6 Oct 2024

## What is MAL-2024-12292?

MAL-2024-12292 is a malicious package in instaread, published on 6 Oct 2024. 

### Official description

The file bc2556d1c1ea2a2d00.js contains an AdWare LNKR, this file is included in read_article.html template and effectively used when the user requests to see the downloaded article in the webbrowser (function "read" from instaread.py). Note: the template may have been copied from the website, so 'maybe' including adware is unintentional.

---

Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers.

Campaign: 2024-10-old-instaread

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - action-hidden-in-lib-usage

 - The package is used to advertise a service or product.

## What should I do about MAL-2024-12292?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
MAL-2024-12292 is a malicious package: instaread (PyPI). Every version was published to cause harm.

Task:
1. Search this repository's dependency manifests and lockfiles for the package, including transitive dependencies.
2. If it is present, remove it, regenerate the lockfile with the project's package manager, and replace whatever it was used for.
3. List any CI runners, developer machines or containers that installed it, so their secrets can be rotated.
4. If the package is not used anywhere, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2024-12292/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2024-12292/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2024-12292

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2024-12292/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.