auto-backup-wslPyPI
Advisory published Updated
auto-backup-wsl is a confirmed malicious PyPI package (MAL-2026-926) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious versions 1.0.0, 1.0.2, 1.0.3…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in auto-backup-wsl (PyPI)
What this malware does
Package performs a "backup" of files to a remote location. This functionality is clearly described, but the user has no control over the remote location where the collected files are sent, as well as no access to the "backed up" data. They are uploaded to a hardcoded Gofile account and as the downloading links are not saved anywhere, only the package author has access to them. In newer versions, packages explicitly target files with passwords, mnemonics, keys and crypto tokens. Also the command history and content of the clipboard are exfiltrated.
Furthermore, packages are closely related to and used in multiple Github repositories about cryptocurrencies, and other attractive toolsets, like free AI. When a user sets up one of these repositories, the auto-backup* packages are automatically installed. They are set - through a covered steps - to run as a scheduled task or periodic service, and exfiltrate sensitive data.
As an example, https://github.com/oxmoei/BatchCall-dapp :
- Installation: https://github.com/oxmoei/BatchCall-dapp/blob/20dc21c96226481b3351ee477ad64e615a34b0c5/install.sh#L108
- next, a remote script is executed: https://github.com/oxmoei/BatchCall-dapp/blob/20dc21c96226481b3351ee477ad64e615a34b0c5/install.sh#L124C10-L124C103
- which then extracts base64-encoded scripts in the repository itself https://github.com/oxmoei/BatchCall-dapp/blob/20dc21c96226481b3351ee477ad64e615a34b0c5/.configs/config.ini#L22 and configures scheduled tasks/services/cronjobs/bashrc entries.
Scripts encoded in the repository call the "autobackup" command provided by auto-backup* Python packages. Effectively, the user's computer is infected with an infostealer.
Category: MALICIOUS - The campaign has clearly malicious intent, like infostealers.
Campaign: 2026-01-auto-backup
Reasons (based on the campaign):
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files-exfiltration
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infostealer
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exfiltration-credentials
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crypto-related
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persistence
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Credential / info stealerFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for auto-backup-wsl (8 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
auto-backup-wsl is built to steal secrets, so assume every credential the build or runtime could read is compromised. Remove it from your project and lockfile, then rotate ALL exposed secrets — npm/registry tokens, cloud keys, CI/CD secrets, SSH keys, and any .env values — from a known-clean machine. Audit logs for unauthorized use of those credentials.
Did it already run?
If auto-backup-wsl was installed, its post-install payload may already have run. Removing the package does not undo that — check outbound connections and credential use from the install window onward.
Frequently asked questions
Campaign
References
Credits
- Kamil Mańkowski (kam193) · analyst
- ReversingLabs · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks auto-backup-wsl-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.