# MAL-2025-73: Malicious code in utf-cleaner (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `utf-cleaner` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 10 Jan 2025

## What is MAL-2025-73?

MAL-2025-73 is a malicious package in utf-cleaner, published on 10 Jan 2025. 

### Official description

During import, the package silently downloads and executes remote code. This code starts a web server in the separate process and listens for commands to execute from a C2 server, as well as periodically sends a beacon to C2 allowing discovery and finishing execution.

This package is closely related to Github repository https://github.com/xcummins/tg-outline-seller/ from the same author, where it's used as dependency effectively compromising its users.

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

Campaign: 2026-03-old-utf-cleaner

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - Downloads and executes a remote malicious script.

 - The package contains code to execute remote commands (probably limited to a specific set) on the victim's machine.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'utf-cleaner' @ 3.4.1 (pypi) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.

## What should I do about MAL-2025-73?

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-2025-73 is a malicious package: utf-cleaner (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-2025-73/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2025-73/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2025-73

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2025-73/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.