# MAL-2026-17235: Malicious code in items-validator (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `items-validator` (npm)
- **Published:** 28 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rpgc-c7g7-g8fh

## What is MAL-2026-17235?

MAL-2026-17235 is a malicious package in items-validator, published on 28 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

On require, index.js invokes initializeDaemon() at top level, which uses spawn('node', [lib/check-items.js], { detached: true, stdio: 'ignore' }) followed by child.unref() to launch a persistent background process independent of the parent. The daemon HTTP-GETs a JSON payload from the hardcoded endpoint https://game.spawnrealm.com/api/item-realtime?key=abcdef123456 and passes payload.code to `new Function('require', 'module', payload.code)`, executing server-supplied JavaScript inside the installer's Node process with full `require` access. An RSA signature check is performed against a public key bundled in the package (crypto-config.js), so the author controls both the signing key and the verifier and the check provides no independent integrity guarantee. Anyone controlling game.spawnrealm.com — including via DNS or TLS — can run arbitrary code as the installing user for the lifetime of the host process. The package is advertised as a validator library, and this remote-code-loader behavior is undisclosed and unrelated to the stated purpose.

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-2026-17235?

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-2026-17235 is a malicious package: items-validator (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-2026-17235/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17235/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17235

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17235/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.