# MAL-2026-14175: Malicious code in core-js-gns (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `core-js-gns` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-14175?

MAL-2026-14175 is a malicious package in core-js-gns, published on 19 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

The package's postinstall hook (`package.json` → `node init.js`) runs an installer-side dropper. init.js gates on developer-machine heuristics (presence of Desktop/Documents/Downloads directories) and a 24-hour skip marker, then POSTs hostname, username, platform, architecture, Node version, OS release, and package name/version to https://core-js-buffer.domaup-com.workers.dev/report. It then HTTP GETs an AES-256-GCM ciphertext from the same host with TLS verification disabled (`rejectUnauthorized: false`), decrypts it with a key derived from a hardcoded seed, checks the plaintext contains the cover-story string `TelemetrySender`, writes the result to `~/.cache/core-js-buffer/modules/runtime.py`, and spawns Python detached (`stdio:'ignore'`, `.unref()`) to execute it. The package name mimics the legitimate `core-js` library. Behavior is arbitrary remote code execution on the installer's machine, fetched from an attacker-controlled endpoint at npm install time, preceded by installer identifier exfiltration to the same endpoint.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-14175?

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-2026-14175 is a malicious package: core-js-gns (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-2026-14175/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14175/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-14175

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14175/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.