216.73.216.6

Build script exposes PyPI to domain takeover attacks

· Published 24/11/2025 21:10 · Modified 25/11/2025 09:14

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Essential information

Published
24/11/2025 21:10
Modified
25/11/2025 09:14
Tags
2025-11-24 CVE-2023-45311 bootstrap script domain takeover legacy code packaging pypi python supply-chain vulnerability
Related entities
1 vulnerabilities (cve), 9 techniques (mitre)

Description

ReversingLabs researchers discovered vulnerable code in legacy packages that could enable an attack on the Package Index () via a domain compromise. The lies in bootstrap files for a build tool that installs the package 'distribute' and performs other tasks. When executed, the fetches and executes an installation script from -distribute.org, a domain now available for sale. Affected packages include tornado, pypiserver, slapos.core, and others. The issue stems from the complex history of tools and the failure to formally decommission the 'distribute' module. This highlights the risks of relying on hard-coded domains and the importance of addressing code rot in open-source projects.

External references