# MAL-2025-889: Malicious code in x509-escaping (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `x509-escaping` (npm)
- **Published:** 3 Feb 2025

## What is MAL-2025-889?

MAL-2025-889 is a malicious package in x509-escaping, published on 3 Feb 2025. 

### Official description

package.json declares `preinstall: node index.js`, so on `npm install` the shipped index.js runs automatically. It collects hostname, username, home directory, DNS servers, and current working directory, and reads /etc/passwd and /etc/hosts via fs.readFileSync, then POSTs the bundle over HTTPS to the hardcoded host `agumuj6lhw9yqopq6npl1nlgu70yorcg.oastify.com` (a Burp Collaborator out-of-band subdomain). The package name and single-purpose recon payload match the dependency-confusion reconnaissance pattern: no library functionality is shipped, only install-time data exfiltration to an attacker-controlled OOB host.

## What should I do about MAL-2025-889?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
MAL-2025-889 is a malicious package: x509-escaping (npm). Every version was published to cause harm.

Task:
1. Search this repository's dependency manifests and lockfiles for the package, including transitive dependencies.
2. If it is present, remove it, regenerate the lockfile with the project's package manager, and replace whatever it was used for.
3. List any CI runners, developer machines or containers that installed it, so their secrets can be rotated.
4. If the package is not used anywhere, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2025-889/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2025-889/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2025-889

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2025-889/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.