# MAL-2026-16053: Malicious code in file-type-detector (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `file-type-detector` (npm)
- **Published:** 9 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16053?

MAL-2026-16053 is a malicious package in file-type-detector, published on 9 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

A clone of file-type-checker with one function added: isSign(name, moduleName, offset) in dist/validation/image.js reads public/${name}.png from the working directory, splits the buffer at -offset, and writes the trailing payload to../../../{moduleName}/log - a sibling package under node_modules - then returns isPNG() so the caller sees a plausible boolean. It is undocumented, reachable only via an __exportStar wildcard so it is never named in dist/index.js, and fails silently on try/catch.

Drop stage of a three-package chain: file-type-detector writes the payload, gloggo (1.1.2-1.1.4) executes it via require('./log'), and sonmors (typosquat of sonner) triggers the chain by requiring gloggo. gloggo shares the npm publisher log-developer and was published five minutes apart on 2026-08-27. No install hooks; execution occurs on require().

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16053?

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-2026-16053 is a malicious package: file-type-detector (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-2026-16053/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16053/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16053

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16053/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.