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PyPI Panic: Fake Python Packages Steal Cloud Secrets! 🚨

Beware of time-traveling malware! Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a sneaky campaign on PyPI, where bogus “time” utilities are actually data thieves in disguise. These packages, downloaded over 14,100 times, are stealing cloud access tokens faster than you can say “Time Bandits.” Stay vigilant, developers, and keep your secrets safe!

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Hot Take:

Well, it looks like someone tried to pull a sneaky on the Python community by mixing a dash of deception with a sprinkle of malice in the recipe for these ‘time’ related packages. Clearly, the hackers took the phrase ‘time is money’ way too literally, trying to cash in on some stolen data. But hey, at least they weren’t trying to sell us on “time-travel” apps, right?

Key Points:

  • Cybersecurity researchers found malicious packages on the Python Package Index (PyPI) disguised as “time” utilities.
  • The packages aimed to steal sensitive data, such as cloud access tokens.
  • 20 packages were identified, downloaded over 14,100 times, and have since been removed.
  • Some packages were dependencies in a popular GitHub project, increasing their spread.
  • Fortinet FortiGuard Labs highlighted the danger of suspicious URLs in software packages.

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