# MAL-2026-1224: Malicious code in spark-ml-utilities (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `spark-ml-utilities` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 3 Mar 2026

## What is MAL-2026-1224?

MAL-2026-1224 is a malicious package in spark-ml-utilities, published on 3 Mar 2026. 

### Official description

During installation, the package starts obfuscated code that downloads and runs remote executables in specific environments. In some packages in the campaign, the code only attempts to exfiltrate some basic information using DNS requests and then likely cover tracks by installing a similarly named package from private repository

Related campaigns: 2026-02-spark-audit-notify, 2026-03-geekennedy

---

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

Campaign: 2026-02-urllib-slim

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - typosquatting

 - Downloads and executes a remote executable.

 - obfuscation

 - dependency-confusion

## What should I do about MAL-2026-1224?

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-2026-1224 is a malicious package: spark-ml-utilities (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-2026-1224/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-1224/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-1224

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-1224/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.