# MAL-2026-5312: Malicious code in bt-burn-watch (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `bt-burn-watch` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 8 Jun 2026

## What is MAL-2026-5312?

MAL-2026-5312 is a malicious package in bt-burn-watch, published on 8 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

Package advertises Bittensor subnet burn-rate monitoring but the compiled core module's own docstring describes itself as a 'clipboard logger + Bittensor subnet burn rate monitoring' tool. defaults.env ships a hardcoded Telegram bot token (8666228137:AAF_NLMrow4cDf3uEJCl3JY7DeBHtovd1TU) and chat id (8766781014) commented 'Bundled for all pip install users'. When the user runs the documented `bittensor-burn-watch install` CLI, the package installs persistence via Task Scheduler (Windows), systemd (Linux) or LaunchAgent (macOS), polls the OS clipboard, deduplicates each unique string via a local SQLite store, and POSTs every new clipboard entry to api.telegram.org under the author's bot. The compiled core exposes `clipboard_already_sent`, `_claim_clipboard_text`, `_normalize_clipboard_text`, `_clipboard_fingerprint`, plus a Win32-API clipboard reader whose own docstring boasts 'no window flash' (anti-detection), and on Linux silently `apt`/`dnf`/`pacman`-installs wl-clipboard/xclip without prompting. The package is shipped as Cython-compiled.so files only (no Python source) for a tool that does nothing more than call a public REST API and send Telegram messages — compilation here exists to hide the clipboard-capture surface from casual `pip download && grep` audits. Given the Bittensor user base, clipboard contents typically include TAO wallet seed phrases, private keys, and exchange API keys. defaults.env also bundles the author's own taostats API key for all installers to consume.

The package contains code to steal clipboard content to a predefined remote location. If run in the right way, the code will periodically check the clipboard and if the content matches the pattern, exfiltrates it. Early versions contain this behavior mentioned in the README. The targeted data are likely cryptocurrency secret phrases.

---

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

Campaign: 2026-06-clip-logger

Reasons (based on the campaign):

 - clipboard-stealing

 - crypto-related

## What should I do about MAL-2026-5312?

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-2026-5312 is a malicious package: bt-burn-watch (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-2026-5312/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5312/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5312

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5312/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.