# MAL-2026-13981: Malicious code in eslint-publish-release (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `eslint-publish-release` (npm)
- **Published:** 13 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rqq3-8xp4-pvcq

## What is MAL-2026-13981?

MAL-2026-13981 is a malicious package in eslint-publish-release, published on 13 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

eslint-publish-release@99.9.1 is a hollow package (index.js is an empty stub, no lifecycle scripts) whose only effect on install is dependency resolution. Its package.json declares its sole dependency `ltidisafe` as a direct HTTPS tarball URL pointing at a Google Cloud Storage bucket (`https://ltidi.storage.googleapis.com/depenconf/ltidisafe-3.6.4.tgz`) rather than a version resolved from the npm registry. Installing this package causes npm to fetch and install arbitrary code from that bucket into the consumer's node_modules, where it becomes executable at require time by the parent project. The bucket is not a publisher-matched or npm-registry destination, the URL path contains the token `depenconf` (dependency-confusion), the package name resembles legitimate ESLint release tooling, and the 99.9.1 version number is characteristic of dependency-confusion lures. The package structure — empty main, no independent utility, sole purpose is pulling a tarball from an anonymous bucket — is a delivery-vector shape, not a real library.

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-2026-13981?

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-2026-13981 is a malicious package: eslint-publish-release (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-2026-13981/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13981/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-13981

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-13981/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.