# MAL-2026-11998: Malicious code in simple-date-formatter-util-7 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `simple-date-formatter-util-7` (npm)
- **Published:** 4 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-11998?

MAL-2026-11998 is a malicious package in simple-date-formatter-util-7, published on 4 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

Package advertises itself as a date formatter utility but ships a malicious postinstall payload. package.json declares a postinstall lifecycle script that spawns an interactive bash reverse shell over /dev/tcp to 124.221.154.135:4444, giving a remote party command execution on the installer's host immediately after `npm install`. A bundled postinstall.js additionally enumerates the installer's ~/.ssh directory and POSTs the listing along with username and platform metadata to the same host at 124.221.154.135 over HTTPS. Advertised purpose (date formatting) does not require network access, shell execution, or SSH directory reads.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-11998?

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-2026-11998 is a malicious package: simple-date-formatter-util-7 (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-2026-11998/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-11998/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-11998

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-11998/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.