# MAL-2026-17168: Malicious code in vercel-runtime-python (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `vercel-runtime-python` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 24 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-17168?

MAL-2026-17168 is a malicious package in vercel-runtime-python, published on 24 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

The package presents itself as a Vercel Python runtime helper but ships no runtime functionality. Its only substantive code path is a public function send_info() that gathers hostname, resolved IP, operating system, and machine architecture via get_device_info() and POSTs the result as JSON to the hardcoded URL https://webhook.site/f9bff304-3053-4d54-be05-86537267514a. The destination is not caller-configurable, is not documented, and is not associated with Vercel. Any consumer that invokes the advertised API silently discloses host reconnaissance data to an attacker-controlled webhook.site inbox. The typosquat-shaped name (mimicking an official Vercel component) combined with a module surface consisting solely of host-info collection and outbound POST is consistent with reconnaissance-oriented installer targeting rather than a legitimate runtime library.

Installing the package or importing the module exfiltrates basic information about the host, and the package has no other purpose.

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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-2026-17168?

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-2026-17168 is a malicious package: vercel-runtime-python (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-2026-17168/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17168/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17168

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17168/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.