PyPl Added Project Archival To Stop Attackers to Weaponize Malicious Packages

The Python Package Index (PyPI) has introduced a new feature that allows maintainers to mark projects as archived, signaling that the project is no longer actively maintained or expected to receive updates.

This marks a significant step forward in supporting transparency and security in the Python ecosystem, enabling users to make informed decisions regarding their dependencies.

Enhanced Supply-Chain Security with Project Archival

The new archival feature is designed to improve supply-chain security by explicitly communicating the maintenance status of projects on PyPI.

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Unlike deletion, archiving does not remove a project or its files from the index.

Instead, it serves as a user-directed mechanism to indicate that no further updates, including security fixes, should be anticipated.

This helps developers assess the risks of relying on unmaintained packages and promotes responsible dependency management practices.

The archival mechanism builds upon PyPI’s “project quarantine” framework, introduced in late 2024, which added layers of control around potentially risky or unverified projects.

By clearly denoting the state of archived projects, the feature enhances visibility into the lifecycle of packages many developers rely on.

How Archival Works

Project maintainers can archive their packages through the project settings page on PyPI, where an option near the bottom of the page allows them to mark a project as archived.

Upon archival, the project’s main PyPI page will prominently display a notice alerting users to its change in status.

It is recommended that maintainers make a final release before archiving, including a detailed update in the project description to provide additional context about its status.

It is important to note that archiving a project prevents further uploads but does not impede users from continuing to install or download the package.

The archival process is reversible, allowing project owners to unarchive the project should they decide to resume its maintenance.

The introduction of project archive is part of a broader initiative to enhance project lifecycle management within PyPI.

Upcoming developments may include further project status labels, such as “deprecated” or “unmaintained,” along with updates to PyPI’s public APIs to facilitate programmatic retrieval of project status information.

These enhancements aim to provide a more structured approach to managing and monitoring package health and security.

The feature was developed by Trail of Bits in collaboration with PyPI administrators, with significant contributions from Mike Fiedler and Dustin Ingram.

The project received funding from Alpha-Omega, an organization dedicated to advancing the security of critical open-source software ecosystems.

As PyPI continues its efforts to refine project management and enhance ecosystem transparency, users are encouraged to monitor developments and provide feedback to strengthen the open-source software community further.

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