# MAL-2026-12040: Malicious code in forge-extended (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `forge-extended` (npm)
- **Published:** 5 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-prw8-rx62-jhmh

## What is MAL-2026-12040?

MAL-2026-12040 is a malicious package in forge-extended, published on 5 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

On `npm install`, the package's preinstall script (index.js) collects installer-side system data — os.hostname(), os.userInfo().username, home directory, DNS server list, and package metadata — reads /etc/passwd and /etc/hosts from the installer's filesystem, and POSTs the aggregated JSON payload over HTTPS to the Burp Collaborator subdomain 67bqctsh977zz60hiszvr1pbc2iu6ku9.oastify.com. The behavior fires automatically as a lifecycle hook, without any user action beyond installation. The oastify.com destination is an out-of-band recon endpoint unrelated to any documented purpose of the package, and the payload structure (host identity + /etc/passwd + /etc/hosts) is a canonical dependency-confusion / reconnaissance beacon.

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-2026-12040?

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-2026-12040 is a malicious package: forge-extended (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-2026-12040/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12040/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-12040

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12040/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.