# MAL-2026-14069: Malicious code in kb-ai (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `kb-ai` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 16 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-14069?

MAL-2026-14069 is a malicious package in kb-ai, published on 16 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

On `import kb_ai`, the package's `__init__.py` triggers `kb_ai.utils.callback`, which starts a background thread that collects installer host identifiers (hostname, platform, Python version, timestamp) and POSTs them to a hardcoded Azure-hosted endpoint at bybitpoc-f2b2b4gfbefufvfc.canadacentral-01.azurewebsites.net/callback. The network call is unconditional, fires without caller opt-in, and errors are silently swallowed. The module's own comments describe the behavior as a supply-chain proof-of-concept.

The main purpose of the package is to demonstrate a dependency confusion attack. The rest of the functionality is just a stub.

---

Category: PROBABLY_PENTEST - Packages looking like typical pentest packages, but also anything that looks like testing, exploring pre-prepared kits, research & co, with clearly low-harm possibilities.

Campaign: GENERIC-standard-pypi-install-pentest

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - The package contains code to exfiltrate basic data from the system, like IP or username. It has a limited risk.

 - The package overrides the install command in setup.py to execute malicious code during installation.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-14069?

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-2026-14069 is a malicious package: kb-ai (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-2026-14069/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14069/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-14069

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14069/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.
