# MAL-2026-10459: Malicious code in connectedmerchantsserv (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `connectedmerchantsserv` (npm)
- **Published:** 13 Jul 2026

## What is MAL-2026-10459?

MAL-2026-10459 is a malicious package in connectedmerchantsserv, published on 13 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

The package's `scripts.install` lifecycle hook runs `node index.js`, which loads `lib/core.js`. That module collects the installer's OS username, hostname, and current working directory basename, then encodes those values as subdomain labels of `oob.sl4x0.xyz` prefixed with `paypal2` and issues `dns.resolve4` queries against the resulting hostname, leaking the data out-of-band to the attacker's authoritative DNS server. The Node API names (`os`, `dns`, `userInfo`, `username`, `hostname`, `cwd`) and the destination domain are hidden as char-code numeric arrays reconstructed via `String.fromCharCode` in `lib/b02e30.js` and `lib/6ad264.js` to evade static inspection. The package is presented as generic 'enterprise utilities' but ships no functionality matching that description.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-10459?

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-2026-10459 is a malicious package: connectedmerchantsserv (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-2026-10459/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10459/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-10459

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10459/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.