# MAL-2026-18218: Malicious code in qowa (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `qowa` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 23 Oct 2026

## What is MAL-2026-18218?

MAL-2026-18218 is a malicious package in qowa, published on 23 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

src/qowa/__init__.py contains calls to socket.gethostname() at lines 30, 52, and 247 together with hardcoded Telegram Bot API endpoints (api.telegram.org/bot<token>/...) at lines 117 and 135. The code reads installer host identity and transmits it to an attacker-controlled Telegram bot channel, a known pattern for host-reconnaissance exfiltration using Telegram as a C2/collector. The embedded bot token encodes the destination chat under the operator's control, so installing or importing this package leaks the installer's hostname (and any other collected context) off-host to a third party. The package has no documented purpose that would legitimize Telegram-bot delivery of hostname data.

The package provides a C2 server and agent with pre-filed credentials, disguised as a generic utility.

---

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

Campaign: 2026-10-qowa

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - rat

 - spyware-like

 - target:android

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

 - uses-telegram-bot

 - files-exfiltration

## What should I do about MAL-2026-18218?

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-2026-18218 is a malicious package: qowa (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-2026-18218/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18218/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18218

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18218/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.