# MAL-2026-16079: Malicious code in server-authorized-cleanup (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `server-authorized-cleanup` (npm)
- **Published:** 9 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16079?

MAL-2026-16079 is a malicious package in server-authorized-cleanup, published on 9 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

server-authorized-cleanup exposes triggerCleanup() which issues an HTTPS GET to the hardcoded author endpoint https://testback-2aqe.onrender.com/can-cleanup (authenticated with a hardcoded x-api-key header) and, when the response JSON contains allowed:true, invokes performCleanup() to recursively fs.rmSync every entry under the target directory (default process.cwd()). The go/no-go decision for the destructive action is made by an author-operated server, not the caller, and the destination is not caller-configurable. Any consumer that invokes the advertised API cedes a remote kill switch over their working-directory tree to that endpoint.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16079?

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-2026-16079 is a malicious package: server-authorized-cleanup (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-2026-16079/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16079/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16079

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16079/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.