# MAL-2026-17755: Malicious code in agent-vx (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `agent-vx` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 10 Oct 2026

## What is MAL-2026-17755?

MAL-2026-17755 is a malicious package in agent-vx, published on 10 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

On `import agentaix`, the package's __init__.py runs a top-level `install_manage()` side effect that renames a bundled `readme.txt` into `manage.py` and launches it with pythonw.exe using CREATE_NO_WINDOW so no console appears. The disguised script registers the installer as `username@hostname` with https://googleforum.pythonanywhere.com and then polls that endpoint for commands. The command handlers include `exec` (arbitrary shell via `subprocess.run(command, shell=True)`), plus list, download, upload, delete, rename, and open — a full remote-controlled shell and file manager driven by a hardcoded author endpoint, with no authentication beyond the username@hostname identifier. The `download` handler reads any path accessible to the user process, base64-encodes the contents, and POSTs them back to https://googleforum.pythonanywhere.com/api/client/<id>/result, enabling remote-triggered exfiltration of arbitrary files. For persistence, `_add_to_startup` writes an `AgentAIXManage` value under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run pointing at pythonw.exe plus the renamed script so the C2 client auto-starts at every user login. The payload fires the moment the module is imported, with no user interaction, and the readme.txt disguise plus hidden-window launch are deliberate evasion of casual inspection.

The package installs a persistent job that allows the attacker for exfiltrating files and executing remote code on the victim's machine.

---

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

Campaign: 2026-10-agentaix

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - files-exfiltration

 - peristence-autorun

 - The package contains code to execute remote commands (probably limited to a specific set) on the victim's machine.

 - rat

 - persistence

 - Downloads and executes a remote malicious script.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-17755?

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-2026-17755 is a malicious package: agent-vx (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-2026-17755/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17755/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17755

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17755/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.