Which versions of byterec-models are malicious?

The following PyPI versions of byterec-models are flagged malicious: 1.5.3. Treat any of these as compromised.

How do I remediate byterec-models if I installed it?

byterec-models 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.

I already installed byterec-models — how do I know if it already compromised me?

If byterec-models 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.

Is byterec-models part of a known attack campaign?

Yes — byterec-models is associated with the 2024-08-byted-22.ax campaign. Packages in the same campaign often share infrastructure and payloads, so check whether any related packages are also in your dependency tree.

How do I find byterec-models across my projects, lockfiles, and CI pipelines?

Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for byterec-models (version 1.5.3).

Part of a larger attack: 2024-08-byted-22.ax published 9 malicious packages. See the full campaign →

Malicious package

byterec-modelsPyPI

Advisory published Aug 22, 2024Updated Dec 12, 2025

byterec-models is a confirmed malicious PyPI package (MAL-2024-12223) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious version 1.5.3). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in byterec-models (PyPI)

MAL-2024-12223

Immediate action

Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.

pip uninstall byterec-models

What this malware does

Collects basic information about the system, most probably a pentest or bug bounty.

Category: PROBABLY_PENTEST - Packages looking like typical pentest packages, but also anything that looks like testing, exploring pre-prepared kits, research & co, with clearly low-harm possibilities.

Campaign: 2024-08-byted-22.ax

Reasons (based on the campaign):

The package contains code to exfiltrate basic data from the system, like IP or username. It has a limited risk.

Malicious versions

1 flagged

1.5.3

Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)

b8b17fc5addc5c12be6766c6de68b5457a002b15442324f1f424b8c6a134c562

a743bef3c7e21e3a83027eb77a9868e7b659f295c96c82ac735bc135b353e597

0ca4197c33b21670046b9d8d1214f3e4c9fc71a4908490b90cb1507df36a427a

Detection & response playbook

Credential / info stealer

Find it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for byterec-models (version 1.5.3).
If you installed it — respond
byterec-models 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 byterec-models 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

No. byterec-models on PyPI has been identified as a malicious package (version 1.5.3 flagged). It should be removed immediately — do not install or keep it in your dependency tree.

Campaign

2024-08-byted-22.ax

References

bad-packages.kam193.eu

Credits

Kamil Mańkowski (kam193)

Detect & block this

O3 blocks byterec-models-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.

Malware detection Runtime egress monitoring

Explore

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