# MAL-2026-10738: Malicious code in mui-option (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `mui-option` (npm)
- **Published:** 16 Jul 2026

## What is MAL-2026-10738?

MAL-2026-10738 is a malicious package in mui-option, published on 16 Jul 2026. 

### Official description

The sole shipped file index.js is heavily obfuscated with a base64+RC4 string-array decoder that hides all module names, URLs, and method identifiers. On import (main entrypoint), it requires child_process, os, fs, path, crypto and https, issues an https.get to a runtime-decoded URL, splits the response on ':' into an IV and ciphertext, derives a key with crypto.scryptSync, decrypts the payload with crypto.createDecipheriv, writes the decrypted bytes to a file under os.tmpdir(), and executes that file via child_process.exec. The package has no legitimate advertised functionality, its name resembles the MUI ecosystem, and no other code path exists. Any project that requires mui-option triggers execution of attacker-controlled native code on the installer host. The tarball also ships npm_recovery_codes.txt containing five 64-character hex strings matching the format of npm 2FA recovery codes, suggesting a publishing-account compromise.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-10738?

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-2026-10738 is a malicious package: mui-option (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-2026-10738/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10738/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-10738

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-10738/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.