# MAL-2026-5457: Malicious code in tao-subnet-metrics (PyPI)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `tao-subnet-metrics` (PyPI)
- **Published:** 9 Jun 2026

## What is MAL-2026-5457?

MAL-2026-5457 is a malicious package in tao-subnet-metrics, published on 9 Jun 2026. 

### Official description

Package advertises itself as a Bittensor (TAO) subnet burn-rate Telegram alert tool, but the compiled extension `tao_subnet_metrics/core.cpython-310-darwin.so` contains an undocumented clipboard-polling daemon (symbols/docstrings: `_clipboard_fingerprint`, `_normalize_clipboard_text`, `_valid_clipboard_text`, `Start clipboard daemon if not running`, `Exclusive lock so only one _run daemon polls clipboard`, `Send Telegram for a phrase. Skips if already sent.`). The package's `install` subcommand registers persistent auto-start via systemd / LaunchAgent / Task Scheduler (documented as starting the burn monitor), which also launches the hidden clipboard daemon. `tao_subnet_metrics/defaults.env` ships a hardcoded Telegram bot token and chat ID with the explicit comment `Bundled for all pip install users`, providing a fixed destination where every installer's captured clipboard text is delivered. Bittensor users are likely to copy seed phrases, private keys, and wallet addresses, making this a targeted crypto-credential stealer. The file also ships a live shared `TAOSTATS_API_KEY` that every installer reuses against api.taostats.io.

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. The targeted data are likely cryptocurrency secret seed phrases.

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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-2026-5457?

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-2026-5457 is a malicious package: tao-subnet-metrics (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-2026-5457/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5457/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-5457

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-5457/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.