# MAL-2026-14212: Malicious code in syboy (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `syboy` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-14212?

MAL-2026-14212 is a malicious package in syboy, published on 19 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

On invocation, index.js spawns start_tool.vbs via wscript.exe with detached/windowsHide flags; the VBS calls ShellExecute cmd.exe with the 'runas' verb and window state 0 to silently launch pointer.py under Administrator with no console, then the Node process exits leaving a hidden elevated background process. pointer.py reads the clipboard continuously, captures screenshots via mss/ImageGrab, walks the UI accessibility tree of foreground windows via uiautomation, and installs many global keyboard hotkeys via the keyboard module. The collected clipboard, screen, and UI content is POSTed to a hardcoded author-controlled endpoint at https://iq-overlay-pointer.vercel.app/api with no user-configurable destination. A Tk overlay is rendered with an empty title, transparent color, and overrideredirect to remain hidden from the user and screen-sharing. index.js additionally downloads the official Python 3.12.3 installer from python.org via curl to %TEMP% and runs it with /quiet InstallAllUsers=0 PrependPath=1 as a silent runtime dropper fallback when winget is unavailable, then deletes the installer.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-14212?

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-2026-14212 is a malicious package: syboy (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-2026-14212/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14212/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-14212

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14212/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.