# MAL-2026-11993: Malicious code in @tuluax/errb (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@tuluax/errb` (npm)
- **Published:** 4 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-11993?

MAL-2026-11993 is a malicious package in @tuluax/errb, published on 4 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

package.json scripts.install runs `node -e "require('child_process').spawn('node', ['index.js'], { detached: true, stdio: 'ignore' }).unref()"`, causing `npm install` to spawn index.js as a detached background process. index.js reconstructs a network destination at runtime by AES-256-CBC-decrypting a hardcoded hex ciphertext with a hardcoded key and IV via createDecipheriv, then fetches the resulting URL and passes the response body to eval(). The endpoint controller therefore executes arbitrary JavaScript on the installer's machine at install time. The destination is hidden via cryptographic reconstruction rather than appearing as a plain string, defeating static URL scanning. The package impersonates the widely-used `errno` package by Rod Vagg: the tarball name is `@tuluax/errb`, package.json lists `Rod Vagg @rvagg <rod@vagg.org>` as author despite publication under the unrelated `@tuluax` scope, and the README is titled `node-errno` and states `Available in npm as errno`.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-11993?

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-2026-11993 is a malicious package: @tuluax/errb (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-2026-11993/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-11993/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-11993

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-11993/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.