# MAL-2026-12369: Malicious code in elephant-array-utils (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `elephant-array-utils` (npm)
- **Published:** 5 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-12369?

MAL-2026-12369 is a malicious package in elephant-array-utils, published on 5 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

index.js is a heavily obfuscated (obfuscator.io: rotated string array + RC4 decoder, control-flow flattening, hex literals) top-level IIFE with no functionality matching the advertised 'array utils' purpose. On require(), it constructs a hardcoded IPv4 address by concatenating four numeric literals, performs an https.get against that host, splits the response on ':' to obtain an IV and ciphertext, decrypts the payload with createDecipheriv using a Buffer-keyed cipher, writes the plaintext to a file under the current working directory, and executes it via child_process.exec with windowsHide:true. This is a canonical remote-payload dropper: any installer that requires the package hands arbitrary-code-execution to whoever controls the hardcoded IP. The obfuscation layer exists to hide the exfil/dropper URL, decryption key and command from static inspection. The generic package name is consistent with a typosquat lure.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-12369?

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-2026-12369 is a malicious package: elephant-array-utils (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-2026-12369/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12369/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-12369

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12369/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.