# MAL-2026-17179: Malicious code in wallet-connect-adapter (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `wallet-connect-adapter` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 Sep 2026

## What is MAL-2026-17179?

MAL-2026-17179 is a malicious package in wallet-connect-adapter, published on 25 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

The package's postinstall hook runs `node./loader.js`, which base64-decodes an ~8 KB embedded blob, XOR-decrypts it with a hardcoded 32-byte key, and pipes the resulting bytes into a detached, window-hidden `python -c -` child process via stdin. The loader also silently `pip install`s `requests` if missing. The advertised library surface in `index.js` is an explicit stub whose `connect()` throws, and `package.json` restricts installation to `os: ["win32"]`, so the tarball has no functional wallet-adapter behavior — its only effect on install is to execute the obfuscated Python payload on a Windows developer's machine. The combination of a hidden opaque payload, XOR-obfuscated delivery, detached hidden Python execution at `npm install` time, an inert cover-story main module, and OS pinning to Windows is a targeted install-time dropper.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-17179?

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-2026-17179 is a malicious package: wallet-connect-adapter (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-2026-17179/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17179/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17179

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17179/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.