# MAL-2026-16221: Malicious code in bender-rspack-config (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `bender-rspack-config` (npm)
- **Published:** 15 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16221?

MAL-2026-16221 is a malicious package in bender-rspack-config, published on 15 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares a preinstall lifecycle script that runs `wget` against a hardcoded webhook.site URL, embedding `$(whoami)`, `$(pwd)`, and `$(hostname)` as query-string parameters. The request fires automatically on `npm install`, transmitting the installer's username, working-directory path, and hostname to an author-controlled collector at webhook.site/9d385aa8-875e-48b6-938c-6c0f5a0e8319/. The behavior is self-labeled as a dependency-confusion proof of concept, but the shipped code is a functioning identity-beacon regardless of framing.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'bender-rspack-config' @ 1.0.0 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16221?

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-2026-16221 is a malicious package: bender-rspack-config (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-2026-16221/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16221/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16221

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16221/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.