# MAL-2026-12512: Malicious code in appsignal (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `appsignal` (npm)
- **Published:** 5 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-12512?

MAL-2026-12512 is a malicious package in appsignal, published on 5 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

Package name `appsignal` shadows the legitimate `@appsignal/*` scope and is published at version `9999.0.0`, a version-number pattern used to outrank private/internal dependencies during resolution. A `preinstall` script runs automatically on `npm install` and issues an HTTP GET to the hardcoded bare-IP endpoint `http://75.119.137.232:31337/depconfuse`, carrying the installer's `os.hostname()`, `os.userInfo().username`, `process.cwd()`, `npm_config_registry`, and CI repository-slug environment variables (`GITHUB_REPOSITORY`, `CI_PROJECT_PATH`, `BUILD_REPOSITORY_NAME`, `BITBUCKET_REPO_FULL_NAME`, `TRAVIS_REPO_SLUG`, `DRONE_REPO`, `BUILDKITE_PIPELINE_SLUG`, `CIRCLE_PROJECT_REPONAME`, `JOB_NAME`) as query parameters. The endpoint path `/depconfuse`, the bare-IP destination, the `9999.0.0` version, and the shadowing of an established scope indicate a dependency-confusion reconnaissance probe designed to identify internal build systems that resolve the public name over an intended private package.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-12512?

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-2026-12512 is a malicious package: appsignal (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-2026-12512/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12512/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-12512

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-12512/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.