# MAL-2026-14231: Malicious code in chromecast-webdriver-cli (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `chromecast-webdriver-cli` (npm)
- **Published:** 19 Aug 2026

## What is MAL-2026-14231?

MAL-2026-14231 is a malicious package in chromecast-webdriver-cli, published on 19 Aug 2026. 

### Official description

chromecast-webdriver-cli@1.0.0 runs a postinstall lifecycle script that collects host metadata (os.hostname(), platform, arch, node version, package name, npm lifecycle event) and POSTs it as JSON to the hardcoded host h77svwt7.instances.poc.jchunt.top at /chromecast-webdriver-cli on every `npm install`. The destination is an anonymous subdomain unrelated to the upstream project the package name references (shaka-project/generic-webdriver-server). No opt-in, no first-party publisher relationship, and no functional package code — the beacon fires automatically and transmits installer-identifying data to a third-party endpoint. The package name reproduces a legitimate-sounding upstream tool, which is the fingerprint of a dependency-confusion / typosquat beacon.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-14231?

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-2026-14231 is a malicious package: chromecast-webdriver-cli (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-2026-14231/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14231/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-14231

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-14231/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.