# GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8: Malicious Package in donotinstallthis

> A malicious npm package executes a script during installation to track installs, requiring removal to prevent unauthorized data transmission.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 2 Sep 2020

## What is GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8?

GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 is a vulnerability in donotinstallthis, published on 2 Sep 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The package `donotinstallthis` contained malicious code. The package contained a script that was run as part of the install script. The script contacted a remote service tracking how many installations were done. There is no further compromise.

## Recommendation

Remove the package from your environment.

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including donotinstallthis.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `donotinstallthis` | npm | All versions | None |
| `donotinstallthis` | npm | All versions | None |

## How do I fix GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8?

No fix has been published for GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 is a vulnerability in donotinstallthis, published on 2 Sep 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- donotinstallthis (npm): affected all versions; no fix listed
- donotinstallthis (npm): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-73hr-6785-f5p8/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.