# MAL-2026-16364: Malicious code in bytepack-probe-a7x3 (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `bytepack-probe-a7x3` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16364?

MAL-2026-16364 is a malicious package in bytepack-probe-a7x3, published on 21 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares a dependency `leak-internal` whose source is the HTTPS tarball URL https://src-ssrf.bytedance.net/ssrf/probe.tgz rather than a registry version range. On `npm install`, npm fetches and installs whatever bytes that URL currently returns, executing any lifecycle scripts contained in the fetched tarball. There is no version pin, no integrity hash, and no signature check, so the code executed on the installer's machine is whatever the operator of that host serves at the moment of install. The hostname suggests an SSRF-probe artifact hosted on an internal-looking domain, and the dependency name `leak-internal` together with the path segment `ssrf/probe.tgz` indicates the fetched payload is intended to run probing behavior inside the installer's network.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16364?

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-2026-16364 is a malicious package: bytepack-probe-a7x3 (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-2026-16364/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16364/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16364

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16364/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.