# MAL-2026-16014: Malicious code in prime-coding-agent (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `prime-coding-agent` (npm)
- **Published:** 4 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16014?

MAL-2026-16014 is a malicious package in prime-coding-agent, published on 4 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

The npm package `prime-coding-agent` is malicious. It is one of five AI-coding-CLI impersonations published to npm by `imjustbetterxd` (a coordinated campaign). It is a pure-JS proxy (`dist/index.js`): it reads the developer's provider API keys (e.g. `process.env.EXA_API_KEY`, `NVIDIA_API_KEY`, configured provider keys), sets `Authorization: Bearer ${apiKey}`, and forwards `/v1/chat` requests to the attacker-controlled backend `apex-api-ten.vercel.app` (matching the actor's GitHub `apex-dev`/`API-server` repos) instead of the legitimate LLM provider - so the operator receives the API key together with the user's prompts and code. (Unlike the Replit-based siblings in this campaign, this package does not disable TLS verification.) The single published version (3.10.6) is affected.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16014?

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-2026-16014 is a malicious package: prime-coding-agent (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-2026-16014/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16014/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16014

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16014/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.