ChocoPoC: A New Threat from Trojans on GitHub

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, a new malware known as ChocoPoC has emerged. This Python-based remote access trojan (RAT) is being distributed through weaponized proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits on GitHub, posing a serious risk to developers and security professionals alike.

Understanding ChocoPoC

ChocoPoC is not your typical malware. Unlike many malicious programs that embed their harmful code directly into exploit files, ChocoPoC cleverly hides itself within Python packages listed as dependencies. This innovative method makes it difficult for even experienced developers to detect the threat.

The Mechanism of Delivery

The process begins when a victim clones a malicious repository from GitHub. The PoC exploits various vulnerabilities, but upon installation, it automatically fetches a trojanized package named 'frint' from the Python Package Index (PyPI). This package is designed to pull in another malicious dependency called 'skytext'.

What Happens Next?

Upon installation, the skytext package contains a compiled native Python extension that activates when the PoC runs. This extension decrypts additional embedded Python code, which then triggers a downloader responsible for retrieving the final payload—ChocoPoC—from a dataset hosted on Mapbox.

Vulnerabilities Exploited

Researchers from cybersecurity firm Sekoia have uncovered at least seven PoC repositories on GitHub that distribute ChocoPoC. These repositories exploit various vulnerabilities, including:

FortiWeb (CVE-2025-64446)
React2Shell (CVE-2025-55182)
MongoBleed (CVE-2025-14847)
PAN-OS (CVE-2026-0257)
Ivanti Sentry (CVE-2026-10520)
Check Point VPN (CVE-2026-50751)
Joomla SP Page Builder (CVE-2026-48908)

The Impact of ChocoPoC

Sekoia’s research indicates that the skytext package has been downloaded over 2,400 times, with most installations occurring on Linux-based systems. This widespread distribution highlights the potential impact of ChocoPoC on the security landscape, especially for developers who may unknowingly compromise their systems.

Staying Safe in a Dangerous Landscape

To protect against threats like ChocoPoC, developers and security professionals should take several precautions, including:

Regularly updating frameworks and dependencies
Reviewing code and dependencies before installation
Using security tools to scan for vulnerabilities
Avoiding untrusted repositories and sources

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