MAL-2026-4357 Malicious code in helu (PyPI)
Malicious package
Published
MAL-2026-4357 is a malicious package: helu (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-2026-4357/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4357/index.md)
- Package
- helu
- Registry
- PyPI
What is MAL-2026-4357?
MAL-2026-4357 is a malicious package in helu, published on 26 May 2026.
Official description
During import, the hidden code downloads and executes the second-stage code. After performing anti-analysis checks, it downloads a malicious executable and ensures its persistence.
Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers.
Campaign: 2026-05-helu
Reasons (based on the campaign):
obfuscation
Downloads and executes a remote malicious script.
The package contains code to detect if it is running in a sandbox environment.
Downloads and executes a remote executable.
malware
persistence
covering-tracks
What should I do about MAL-2026-4357?
Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.