# MAL-2026-1036: Malicious code in uitil (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `uitil` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 16 Jan 2026

## What is MAL-2026-1036?

MAL-2026-1036 is a malicious package in uitil, published on 16 Jan 2026. 

### Official description

The package implements an undocumented way to execute code hidden in image files, and a function that searches for images in the current directory and attempts to execute the code. 

It's used in the GitHub repository https://github.com/OR-6/PassCheck/blob/main/main.py#L190 to silently execute the command hidden in the image https://github.com/OR-6/PassCheck/blob/b09b3f1ec5d7345c614b1d956840ee2774f7131b/demo.png  when the user interacts with the repository code. The decrypted command attempted to download and execute code from hxxps://or-6.github[.]io, which at the time of analysis didn't host any code.

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

Campaign: 2026-01-uitil

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - typosquatting

 - steganography

 - The malicious code is intentionally included in a dependency of the package

 - action-hidden-in-lib-usage

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

## What should I do about MAL-2026-1036?

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-2026-1036 is a malicious package: uitil (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-2026-1036/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-1036/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-1036

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-1036/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.