# MAL-2026-16026: Malicious code in bmc-translate-utils (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `bmc-translate-utils` (npm)
- **Published:** 7 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-997w-vpm2-ww7x

## What is MAL-2026-16026?

MAL-2026-16026 is a malicious package in bmc-translate-utils, published on 7 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares a preinstall script `bun run index.js`. index.js is a ~500 KB javascript-obfuscator-packed module (rotated string array `_0x71ec`, decoder `_0x2a3a`, self-defending IIFE, hex identifier names) unrelated to the package's advertised translation purpose — the translation code lives in dist/cjs/. The obfuscated preinstall payload contains GitHub-API helpers that build `Authorization: token <t>` requests to `/user` and `/user/orgs`, parse the `x-oauth-scopes` response header, and return a token-classification record including `hasRepoScope`/`hasWorkflowScope`/`orgs` — token-triage logic. The same module installs a custom pbkdf2-derived RC4-style cipher on globalThis and wires it into a `fetch(baseUrl + path, { headers: { Authorization: 'token ' + t,... } })` transport where baseUrl is concealed inside the obfuscated string array. Installing the package causes obfuscated code to auto-execute on the installer's machine, validate any accessible GitHub tokens, and transmit results through a custom-encrypted channel to a hidden endpoint.

Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16026?

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-2026-16026 is a malicious package: bmc-translate-utils (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-2026-16026/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16026/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16026

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16026/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.