MAL-2026-1291 Malicious code in requests-lite (PyPI)
Malicious package
Published
MAL-2026-1291 is a malicious package: requests-lite (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-2026-1291/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-1291/index.md)
- Package
- requests-lite
- Registry
- PyPI
What is MAL-2026-1291?
MAL-2026-1291 is a malicious package in requests-lite, published on 9 Mar 2026.
Official description
Clone of a legitimate requests library. The hidden code runs when using the requests functionality and starts a Telegram bot awaiting for remote commands.
Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers.
Campaign: 2026-03-old-requests-lite
Reasons (based on the campaign):
clones-real-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.
rat
abusing-3rd-api
What should I do about MAL-2026-1291?
Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.