# MAL-2026-10131: Malicious code in express-session-kit (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `express-session-kit` (npm)
- **Published:** 10 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-v8j2-pw9x-xx7p

## What is MAL-2026-10131?

MAL-2026-10131 is a malicious package in express-session-kit, published on 10 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

The package impersonates the popular express-session library by copying its name pattern, author metadata (TJ Holowaychuk <tj@vision-media.ca>), and repository field (expressjs/session-kit). The library body is a verbatim copy of express-session with a dropper appended to index.js: an initServer() function invoked at module load spawns a detached, stdio-ignored `node` subprocess to run a sibling payload script. That payload (session/check.js) performs an HTTP GET to http://check-server-state.vercel.app/server/v2 with a `bearrtoken: gemini` header, and when the endpoint responds with HTTP 404 carrying a JSON `token` field, wraps that field with `new Function("require", err.response.data.token)` and immediately invokes it with the real require — granting the remote endpoint arbitrary code execution in the Node process. Delivery via a 404 error body is a covert channel designed to look like a benign failed probe. Although the current dropper references./lib/check.js while the payload actually ships at./session/check.js and the spawn/path bindings are not imported (so the current tarball's dropper would throw before spawning), the second-stage payload file is present, complete, and directly requireable; any consumer that requires the payload — or a trivial fix in a subsequent version — makes the RCE live. Combined with the typosquat cover, this is a supply-chain attack targeting developers who mistype express-session.

Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-10131?

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-2026-10131 is a malicious package: express-session-kit (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-2026-10131/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10131/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-10131

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10131/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.