# MAL-2026-13038: Malicious code in boxy-deps-calculator (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `boxy-deps-calculator` (npm)
- **Published:** 5 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-13038?

MAL-2026-13038 is a malicious package in boxy-deps-calculator, published on 5 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

setup.js runs at install time: it performs an HTTPS reconnaissance request (https.get to a remote host with an identifier payload) and then spawns a platform-specific shell (spawn("/bin/sh") on POSIX, spawn("cmd") on Windows) via child_process. The file is invoked as an npm lifecycle script, giving the remote-directed shell execution on installer machines with no user interaction beyond `npm install`. The combination of an install-time outbound HTTP callout plus unconditional shell spawn is a dropper/backdoor shape rather than any documented build behavior, and the package name (a lookalike of common dependency-related utilities) has no legitimate purpose requiring shell execution during install.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-13038?

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-2026-13038 is a malicious package: boxy-deps-calculator (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-2026-13038/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13038/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-13038

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13038/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.