# MAL-2026-18336: Malicious code in h13t0ry-hello-demo (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `h13t0ry-hello-demo` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 27 Oct 2026

## What is MAL-2026-18336?

MAL-2026-18336 is a malicious package in h13t0ry-hello-demo, published on 27 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

On import, the package's top-level module code opens a TCP socket to the hardcoded IP 115.190.210.22:80, duplicates the socket over stdin/stdout/stderr via os.dup2, and spawns /bin/bash through pty.spawn, handing an interactive shell on the installer's host to the remote endpoint under the installing user's account. The module also exports a trivial one-line hello() function alongside the payload, and the package name uses leet-style substitution (h13t0ry) consistent with a cover story rather than a genuine demo package. The reverse-shell path is unauthenticated, undisclosed, and fires unconditionally on any `import hello_demo`.

During import package starts a reverse shell

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

Campaign: 2026-10-h13t0ry-hello-demo

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - The package contains code to create a reverse shell, allowing an attacker to execute any commands on the victim's machine.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-18336?

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-2026-18336 is a malicious package: h13t0ry-hello-demo (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-2026-18336/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18336/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18336

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18336/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.