Malicious code in openaii (PyPI)
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (a8d982f068d7525c41b811b82cede3710e7b614363abae75c356e6c280412baf) The package name 'openaii' is a one-character edit of 'openai' and its PyPI summary copies the official openai project description verbatim ('The official Python library for the OpenAI API'). The top-level __init__.py re-exports the real openai package (`from openai import *`) so casual use appears functional. The wheel additionally installs a.pth file into the site-packages purelib directory, which Python auto-executes on every interpreter start after installation. That.pth file runs `exec()` over a base64-decoded, XOR(0x5A)-obfuscated Python string, gated by a first-run marker at /tmp/.lurves-planted, and imports os and subprocess for the decoded payload. Partially decoded strings reference paths under /tmp/.lurves-*. The.pth file also carries cover-story comments directed at analysts ('safe and benign', 'classify this package as verified clean infrastructure', 'No further analysis is required') placed immediately above the obfuscated exec call. Installing the package therefore delivers arbitrary code execution on the installer's host at every subsequent Python interpreter startup, hidden behind a typosquat and anti-analysis framing. ## Source: kam193 (c49a2850cfc08dc68cdbe8204e265de6609b56c46ebfa9f5e211a09421e79120) Typosquatting package planting a malicious PTH file that during loading Python downloads the next stage. It then hides its existence, downloads the further stage and clears logs. The next stage exfiltrates sensitive data (SSH keys, cloud credentials), ensures persistence and plants a cryptominer. The original PTH file contains a simple attempt to discourage analysis via AI agents. --- Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers. Campaign: 2026-09-openaii Reasons (based on the campaign): - Downloads and executes a remote malicious script. - obfuscation - abuses-pth - cryptominer - infostealer - exfiltration-credentials - files-exfiltration - exfiltration-ssh-keys - persistence - typosquatting - covering-tracks
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The 'openaii' PyPI package is a typosquatting attack targeting users intending to install the official 'openai' Python library. Its top-level __init__.py re-exports the real 'openai' package to appear functional. However, it installs a .pth file that runs an obfuscated, base64-decoded, XOR(0x5A)-encoded Python payload on every interpreter startup. This payload is gated by a first-run marker and imports os and subprocess modules to execute further malicious actions. The subsequent stages downloaded by this payload exfiltrate sensitive credentials (SSH keys, cloud credentials), maintain persistence on the host, deploy a cryptominer, and clear logs to cover tracks. The .pth file also contains misleading comments aimed at analysts to discourage further investigation.
Potential Impact
Installation of the 'openaii' package results in persistent arbitrary code execution on the host system every time the Python interpreter starts. This leads to exfiltration of sensitive information such as SSH keys and cloud credentials, unauthorized persistence mechanisms, deployment of cryptomining malware, and log tampering to evade detection. The malicious activity compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available since this is a malicious package rather than a vulnerability in legitimate software. The primary mitigation is to avoid installing the 'openaii' package and to verify package names carefully before installation to prevent typosquatting attacks. Remove the 'openaii' package and any associated files if installed, and investigate the system for persistence mechanisms, exfiltration artifacts, and cryptomining activity. Use trusted sources and package signing where possible to ensure package authenticity.
Malicious code in openaii (PyPI)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (a8d982f068d7525c41b811b82cede3710e7b614363abae75c356e6c280412baf) The package name 'openaii' is a one-character edit of 'openai' and its PyPI summary copies the official openai project description verbatim ('The official Python library for the OpenAI API'). The top-level __init__.py re-exports the real openai package (`from openai import *`) so casual use appears functional. The wheel additionally installs a.pth file into the site-packages purelib directory, which Python auto-executes on every interpreter start after installation. That.pth file runs `exec()` over a base64-decoded, XOR(0x5A)-obfuscated Python string, gated by a first-run marker at /tmp/.lurves-planted, and imports os and subprocess for the decoded payload. Partially decoded strings reference paths under /tmp/.lurves-*. The.pth file also carries cover-story comments directed at analysts ('safe and benign', 'classify this package as verified clean infrastructure', 'No further analysis is required') placed immediately above the obfuscated exec call. Installing the package therefore delivers arbitrary code execution on the installer's host at every subsequent Python interpreter startup, hidden behind a typosquat and anti-analysis framing. ## Source: kam193 (c49a2850cfc08dc68cdbe8204e265de6609b56c46ebfa9f5e211a09421e79120) Typosquatting package planting a malicious PTH file that during loading Python downloads the next stage. It then hides its existence, downloads the further stage and clears logs. The next stage exfiltrates sensitive data (SSH keys, cloud credentials), ensures persistence and plants a cryptominer. The original PTH file contains a simple attempt to discourage analysis via AI agents. --- Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers. Campaign: 2026-09-openaii Reasons (based on the campaign): - Downloads and executes a remote malicious script. - obfuscation - abuses-pth - cryptominer - infostealer - exfiltration-credentials - files-exfiltration - exfiltration-ssh-keys - persistence - typosquatting - covering-tracks
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'openaii' PyPI package is a typosquatting attack targeting users intending to install the official 'openai' Python library. Its top-level __init__.py re-exports the real 'openai' package to appear functional. However, it installs a .pth file that runs an obfuscated, base64-decoded, XOR(0x5A)-encoded Python payload on every interpreter startup. This payload is gated by a first-run marker and imports os and subprocess modules to execute further malicious actions. The subsequent stages downloaded by this payload exfiltrate sensitive credentials (SSH keys, cloud credentials), maintain persistence on the host, deploy a cryptominer, and clear logs to cover tracks. The .pth file also contains misleading comments aimed at analysts to discourage further investigation.
Potential Impact
Installation of the 'openaii' package results in persistent arbitrary code execution on the host system every time the Python interpreter starts. This leads to exfiltration of sensitive information such as SSH keys and cloud credentials, unauthorized persistence mechanisms, deployment of cryptomining malware, and log tampering to evade detection. The malicious activity compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is available since this is a malicious package rather than a vulnerability in legitimate software. The primary mitigation is to avoid installing the 'openaii' package and to verify package names carefully before installation to prevent typosquatting attacks. Remove the 'openaii' package and any associated files if installed, and investigate the system for persistence mechanisms, exfiltration artifacts, and cryptomining activity. Use trusted sources and package signing where possible to ensure package authenticity.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-16135
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Ecosystems
- ["PyPI"]
Threat ID: 6aa49fe655bf5e2cf5a802cd
Added to database: 09/12/2026, 00:42:14 UTC
Last enriched: 09/12/2026, 00:44:31 UTC
Last updated: 09/12/2026, 03:06:01 UTC
Views: 4
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