# MAL-2026-16123: Malicious code in pinochiomathm (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `pinochiomathm` (npm)
- **Published:** 10 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16123?

MAL-2026-16123 is a malicious package in pinochiomathm, published on 10 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

The package impersonates picomatch (name 'pinochiomathm', description copied from picomatch, homepage pointing at github.com/micromatch/picomach). On require, lib/pinochiomathm.js reads lib/parse.ts.map, base64-decodes it into parsetmp.js, and requires it. The decoded module performs an HTTP GET to https://www.jsonkeeper.com/b/V6NBX with a decoded 'x-secret-key' header, AES-256-CBC-decrypts the response using a hardcoded password, and passes the plaintext to eval(). A second disguised file lib/init.ts.map contains an additional base64-wrapped payload of the same shape. After execution the loader unlinks lib/parse.ts.map, parsetmp.js, lib/init.ts.map and config.js to remove the staged payload from disk. The result is arbitrary remote code execution in the installer's Node process, controlled by whoever edits the jsonkeeper paste, with anti-analysis evasion via sourcemap-filename disguise, base64+AES wrapping, and post-execution cleanup.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16123?

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-2026-16123 is a malicious package: pinochiomathm (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-2026-16123/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16123/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16123

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16123/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.