MAL-2026-11057 Malicious code in merchantprefsservice-paypal (npm)

The package's preinstall script (index.js) executes automatically on npm install and collects host identifiers — hostname, platform, arch, home directory path, and configured DNS servers — then POSTs them to the hardcoded Burp Collaborator subdomain fdw2vnyonnpdk7x3ntotw7omtdz5n4bt.oastify.com at path /hit. The package name mimics an internal PayPal-namespaced service, consistent with a dependency-confusion beacon that fires when a developer or build system inadvertently resolves the public name over an intended private one. The exfiltrated DNS server list additionally reveals internal network configuration.

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.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'merchantprefsservice-paypal' @ 28.0.0 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

• The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.