Pylingual Python Decompiler

This article outlines the steps to set up the Pylingual python decompiler on a Kali VM to decompile python executables.

Tools/Skills Required

• Kali Virtual Machine (You can use the prebuilt Kali images available)

• Ability to use the command-line terminal in Kali

Steps to install Pylingual Decompiler on Kali

Begin by updating the existing package repository, using the following command:

sudo apt update

Next, install the required packages using the following command:

sudo apt install python3 python3-venv python3-pip git curl

Another package pyenv is required, that can be installed using the package manager:

sudo apt install pyenv --fix-missing

During the installation process, if the retrieval of a package fails, you can instruct the package manager to fetch the requirements at a later stage using –fix-missing.

Then, clone the pylingual repository hosted on Github to your Kali VM:

git clone https://github.com/syssec-utd/pylingual.git

Navigate into the pylingual directory:

cd pylingual

Then, create the python virtual environment: python -m venv venv

Then, activate the python virtual environment: source venv/bin/activate

Notice how the terminal prompt changes. Then, install poetry to manage packages in the virtual environment:

pip install poetry

The next step is to install the other required packages using the poetry install command. If there are errors, use the poetry lock command as shown below:

Then, install the other required packages:

Once this process is complete, pylingual will be installed in the python virtual environment and you will be able to view its help menu:

pylingual -h

Everytime you intend to use pylingual, you must navigate into the directory where its code is present using cd pylingual and activate the python virtual environment using source venv/bin/activate. Then you will be able to use pylingual to decompile code written using python.