Domain takeover risks in legacy Python build scripts have raised fresh concerns after security researchers discovered vulnerable code that could enable a supply chain attack within the Python Package Index (PyPI).
Domain Takeover Risks in Legacy Python Build Scripts
Latest Developments
Cybersecurity analysts at ReversingLabs uncovered outdated bootstrap files in the “zc.buildout” Python package, a tool used for software build automation. These files reference unclaimed domains, opening the door to potential domain takeovers and malicious code injections into the PyPI ecosystem.
Background and Context
The vulnerability stems from legacy scripts within zc.buildout that make external calls to now-defunct domains. If a threat actor registers one of these abandoned domains, they gain the ability to deliver altered scripts to unsuspecting users during package installation — compromising software supply chains without detection.
Reactions or Expert Opinions
ReversingLabs warned that such cases illustrate the lingering risks associated with aged packages that rely on hardcoded web resources. Security experts emphasize the importance of auditing dependency chains and retiring packages that no longer follow best practices. “Even dormant code can pose real threats,” said one researcher involved in the discovery.
Figures or Data Insights
- Research identified at least one expired domain tied to package dependencies.
- The affected tool, zc.buildout, is still downloaded thousands of times per month.
- Supply chain attacks on open-source ecosystems have risen by over 200% in the past year.
- “Securing legacy packages is a growing challenge for open-source communities,” said ReversingLabs.
Outlook or Next Steps
Developers are urged to audit legacy dependencies and avoid using packages referencing external resources without validation. PyPI maintainers may need to enforce stricter guidelines to prevent unresolved domains in published packages. As supply chain threats increase, vigilance around legacy scripts becomes crucial to ecosystem security.
With open-source software powering much of today’s infrastructure, even minor oversights in unused code can spark major vulnerabilities — highlighting the need for continuous review and cleanup across the software supply chain.
