# MAL-2026-16310: Malicious code in npx-test-ma980 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `npx-test-ma980` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16310?

MAL-2026-16310 is a malicious package in npx-test-ma980, published on 21 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares a `bin` entry whose key contains shell metacharacters and a chained command: `"tool & calc.exe": "./run.js"`. On Windows, npm's bin shim/symlink generation and later invocation via `npm install -g` or `npx` can interpret the `&` in the bin key as a command separator, causing `calc.exe` to execute as an unintended side effect of installing or linking the package. The shipped `run.js` is a trivial `console.log("hello")` and `payload.json` is empty, so the crafted bin key is the entire attack surface — a proof-of-concept exploit of npm bin-name handling that yields arbitrary command execution on the installer's host.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16310?

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-2026-16310 is a malicious package: npx-test-ma980 (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-2026-16310/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16310/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16310

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16310/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.