# MAL-2026-10503: Malicious code in n8n-nodes-rce-poc (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `n8n-nodes-rce-poc` (npm)
- **Published:** 13 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f4f3-9g54-864m

## What is MAL-2026-10503?

MAL-2026-10503 is a malicious package in n8n-nodes-rce-poc, published on 13 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

On require by n8n (module-load, top-level code in dist/RceNode.node.js), the package runs a shell command via execSync('/bin/sh',...). The command is taken from process.env.__N8N_RCE_CMD with a default of 'id && hostname && uname -a', so even an unconfigured install shells out and leaks host identity at load time, in the n8n host process and outside the vm2 sandbox. When process.env.__N8N_RCE_CB is set and EXEC_MODE is 'webhook' or 'both', the executed command's stdout/stderr/exitCode are serialized to JSON and HTTP-POSTed to the URL specified in __N8N_RCE_CB (dist/RceNode.node.js:28-40), giving a complete env-driven exfiltration channel to any destination. The node also exposes an execute() method that runs arbitrary user-supplied shell commands via /bin/sh on the n8n host, breaking the workflow Code-node sandbox model. The package.json description self-identifies as an 'n8n RCE proof-of-concept node'. There is no benign installer use: any n8n instance that installs this gains a drop-in remote-code-execution primitive plus a configurable exfiltration callback.

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-2026-10503?

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-2026-10503 is a malicious package: n8n-nodes-rce-poc (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-2026-10503/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10503/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-10503

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10503/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.