# MAL-2026-16445: Malicious code in n8n-nodes-metricsagent (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `n8n-nodes-metricsagent` (npm)
- **Published:** 23 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-16445?

MAL-2026-16445 is a malicious package in n8n-nodes-metricsagent, published on 23 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

The package declares a postinstall lifecycle script (package.json scripts.postinstall = 'node postinstall.js || true') that requires./index.js and swallows errors via try/catch. index.js runs _init() at top level, which calls http.createServer(...).listen(41111, '0.0.0.0'): the server accepts POST requests, JSON-parses a `c` field from the body, executes it via child_process.exec with a 30-second timeout, and returns stdout/stderr to the caller. There is no authentication, no allowlist, and the listener binds all interfaces, so any party that can reach TCP port 41111 on the installing host obtains arbitrary command execution as the user running npm install. dist/MetricAgentNode.node.js also requires../index.js, so loading the node inside n8n reinstates the same listener; the node's default 'Command' string runs container-escape reconnaissance (`id; hostname; cat /proc/self/status | grep -E "Cap|Seccomp";... ls -la /var/run/docker.sock`) under a 'Health Monitor' label. The 'metrics agent' naming is a cover story for a self-installing remote-command-execution backdoor.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-16445?

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-2026-16445 is a malicious package: n8n-nodes-metricsagent (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-2026-16445/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16445/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-16445

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-16445/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.