# MAL-2026-18396: Malicious code in bq-helix-recon-6ade983e (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `bq-helix-recon-6ade983e` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 29 Oct 2026

## What is MAL-2026-18396?

MAL-2026-18396 is a malicious package in bq-helix-recon-6ade983e, published on 29 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

Package places PTH/sitecustomize files triggering execution of malicious code on every Python startup. The code then collects information from the environment, including credential files, environment variables, data from cloud metadata endpoints, and finally exfiltrates them.

---

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

Campaign: 2026-10-bq-helix-recon

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - abuses-pth

 - exfiltration-cloud-tokens

 - exfiltration-generic

 - exfiltration-env-variables

 - exfiltration-credentials

## What should I do about MAL-2026-18396?

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-2026-18396 is a malicious package: bq-helix-recon-6ade983e (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-2026-18396/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18396/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18396

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18396/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.