# MAL-2026-10918: Malicious code in automatic-octo-invention (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `automatic-octo-invention` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 20 Jul 2026

## What is MAL-2026-10918?

MAL-2026-10918 is a malicious package in automatic-octo-invention, published on 20 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

The package ships an 8.6 MB stripped ELF binary at automatic_octo_invention/claw (sha256 f6fe45f8fe9081987505af31f0249021a65b558af514f2e4e37340fb3182805f) with no source, no build metadata, and no documentation beyond the package name. The console-script entry point (`cli.py`) chmods the bundled `start.sh` executable and invokes it via subprocess; `start.sh` in turn chmods and runs `./claw --host 45.151.62.119:3361 --user prl1p2jan4d...` — a bare-IP endpoint on a non-standard port with a fixed 62-character wallet-shaped user identifier. The argument shape matches XMRig-family cryptocurrency miners. The package's README and description do not disclose mining, do not name the destination, and present the tool under a generic name; the wrapper's only function is to make the opaque native binary runnable with these hardcoded arguments. Running the advertised CLI redirects the host's CPU and network to an author-chosen destination without disclosure. The harm fires when the user invokes the installed CLI rather than at pip install time, but the shipped binary is opaque and its network destination is a bare-IP author endpoint tied to a fixed wallet identifier.

In this campaign, packages use names similar to popular services (e.g. Kimi AI) to deploy cryptominer.

---

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

Campaign: 2026-07-kimichat

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - cryptominer

## What should I do about MAL-2026-10918?

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-2026-10918 is a malicious package: automatic-octo-invention (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-2026-10918/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10918/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-10918

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10918/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.