# MAL-2026-17176: Malicious code in n8n-nodes-moonlet-helpers (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `n8n-nodes-moonlet-helpers` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-17176?

MAL-2026-17176 is a malicious package in n8n-nodes-moonlet-helpers, published on 25 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

Package presents itself as n8n helper nodes but ships an empty stub `index.js` (`module.exports = {}`) and no functional node modules. On `npm install`, `postinstall.js` runs automatically: it performs an HTTPS GET to `https://mkicom.com/.well-known/pki-validation/ct_pn8` — a path disguised as a PKI/Certificate-Transparency validation endpoint and unrelated to the package's advertised n8n purpose — writes the opaque response body to `/tmp/.np`, chmods it 0755, and executes it via `spawn('/bin/sh', ['-c', 'setsid /tmp/.np... &'], {detached: true})` so the process survives npm exit. There is no hash, signature, or version pinning on the downloaded bytes. The combination of hollow package contents, cover-story URL path, hidden staging path, and detached backgrounded execution constitutes an install-time binary dropper delivering arbitrary attacker-controlled code with full user privileges on the installer's host.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-17176?

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-2026-17176 is a malicious package: n8n-nodes-moonlet-helpers (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-2026-17176/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17176/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17176

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17176/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.