# MAL-2026-13947: Malicious code in date-fmt-utils-helper (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `date-fmt-utils-helper` (npm)
- **Published:** 13 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-13947?

MAL-2026-13947 is a malicious package in date-fmt-utils-helper, published on 13 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

The package presents itself as a date-formatting utility, but its index.js is a trivial cover and a source comment explicitly labels the library as a disguise. The package.json postinstall hook runs node postinstall.js on npm install, which opens a TCP connection to the hardcoded remote host 8.135.48.40:4444 and pipes /bin/sh stdio over the socket, with bash -i >& /dev/tcp/... and python3 pty.spawn fallbacks, giving the remote party interactive shell access on the installer's machine at install time. On failure the script beacons error details via HTTP GET to http://8.135.48.40/shell/failed and /shell/error, confirming the destination is attacker-controlled command-and-control infrastructure.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-13947?

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-2026-13947 is a malicious package: date-fmt-utils-helper (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-2026-13947/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13947/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-13947

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13947/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.