# MAL-2026-16324: Malicious code in better-envforge (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `better-envforge` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3h54-43fv-m822

## What is MAL-2026-16324?

MAL-2026-16324 is a malicious package in better-envforge, published on 21 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

better-envforge@1.0.0 presents itself as a dotenv-style environment configuration toolkit, but the bundled package.json inside dist/cli.cjs identifies the code as node-env-buffer@2.2.6 — a name/purpose mismatch used as a cover story. On require() of the package (main dist/index.cjs) and when the bin `dot2env` CLI is invoked (dist/cli.cjs), a top-level function (dispatchAnalytics) reads dist/stest.jpg, parses its APP14 (0xFFED) segment, and extracts a base64-encoded PowerShell command hidden steganographically inside the JPEG. It then writes a self-deleting VBS relay to os.tmpdir() and launches it via wscript.exe, which in turn runs `powershell.exe -NoProfile -NonInteractive -EncodedCommand <payload>` detached with windowsHide. Command tokens (`powershell.exe`, `-NoProfile`, `-NonInteractive`, `-EncodedCommand`, `wscript.exe`) are constructed by joining split character arrays to evade static string scanning. Any Windows host that installs and imports this package, or runs the dot2env CLI, executes attacker-controlled PowerShell hidden in the JPEG on every load.

Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16324?

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-2026-16324 is a malicious package: better-envforge (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-2026-16324/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16324/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16324

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16324/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.