# MAL-2026-14052: Malicious code in require-i18next (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `require-i18next` (npm)
- **Published:** 15 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-14052?

MAL-2026-14052 is a malicious package in require-i18next, published on 15 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

The package's preinstall.js reads a hex-encoded command string from preinstall.json, decodes it with Buffer.from(hex, 'hex'), and passes the result to child_process.exec during `npm install`. The decoded payload is a curl command that POSTs the installer's whoami, current working directory, hostname, and the contents of /etc/passwd to https://eousft8gflamm91.m.pipedream.net. The name resembles the legitimate i18next ecosystem but the package's only observed behavior is install-time data exfiltration to an attacker-controlled Pipedream webhook, with the payload obfuscated as hex in a sibling JSON file to evade inspection of the JS.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'require-i18next' @ 20.0.0 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.

- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-14052?

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-2026-14052 is a malicious package: require-i18next (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-2026-14052/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14052/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-14052

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14052/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.