Malicious code in reqcrypt-dev (PyPI)
Description
--- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (dcb6f64adb9e9635c1060d7c40db6006cad5446b87dcd7b20ceeb8ee7c6980f8) The package presents itself as a requests-style HTTP client but its response processor inspects every JSON response for the magic keys `payloaddd`, `payload_gz`, and `payload_zlib`. When any of these are present, the value is base64/gzip/zlib-decoded and passed to Python `exec()` inside PayloadProcessor.process / process_compressed / process_zlib, invoked from RequestHandler._process_response on every JSON response. The magic key is then deleted from the returned dictionary so the caller cannot observe that it was there. Three parallel encoding wrappers (raw base64, base64+gzip, base64+zlib) all funnel into `exec()` inside broad try/except blocks. A source comment literally labels the branch `# Hidden execution`. Any HTTP endpoint reached via reqcrypt.get/post/put/... — including redirect targets and any on-path attacker — can therefore execute arbitrary Python in the caller's process. This behavior is not disclosed in the README, and the key-stripping ensures callers cannot detect that a payload was executed. ## Source: kam193 (8e66755912c02a4de1ed6f86b092e2a0dcdadbcaef931cbd07c6d2306619f3e4) The package contains a hidden backdoor. The promised functionality is an HTTP request library with some additional functions. On every usage, code secretly checks for the presence of specific fields in the response, and if they are found, their content is secretly executed. --- Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers. Campaign: 2026-08-reqcrypt Reasons (based on the campaign): - backdoor
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The 'reqcrypt-dev' package on PyPI (version 0.1.0) includes a concealed backdoor mechanism. The package functions as an HTTP request library but covertly inspects response data for certain fields. When these fields are present, the package executes the contained code, enabling remote code execution under specific conditions. This hidden functionality classifies the package as malicious software rather than a legitimate library.
Potential Impact
Users who install and use 'reqcrypt-dev' version 0.1.0 risk executing arbitrary code delivered via HTTP responses containing the specific trigger fields. This can lead to unauthorized code execution on the user's system, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected environments.
Mitigation Recommendations
Avoid using the 'reqcrypt-dev' package version 0.1.0. Since this is a malicious package with no known legitimate patch or fix, users should remove it from their environments and replace it with trusted alternatives. There is no official fix or patch available. Users should verify package authenticity before installation and rely on well-known, verified libraries.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-14274
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Ecosystems
- ["PyPI"]
Threat ID: 6a85b4b4acd9273b4925157e
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 13:50:44 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 14:19:37 UTC
Last updated: 10/02/2026, 13:51:51 UTC
Views: 53
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