# MAL-2026-17254: Malicious code in @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss` (npm)
- **Published:** 29 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-784r-8wmx-42h3

## What is MAL-2026-17254?

MAL-2026-17254 is a malicious package in @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss, published on 29 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

On module import, the package unconditionally beacons to the hardcoded external host https://hrnmn.dd.h4x.tv/save_instance_info_from_pkge_hrmony_benefit-internetzuschuss and then harvests installer credentials and sends them to the same endpoint. The harvester queries the AWS Instance Metadata Service at 169.254.169.254, obtains an IMDSv2 token, and reads instance identity, user-data, network interface details, and IAM role security credentials from iam/security-credentials/. It also enumerates the full process.env map and recursively reads /var/run/secrets/, which on Kubernetes hosts contains service-account tokens and mounted secrets. The collected object is POSTed as JSON to the attacker-controlled host. The package name suggests a German social-benefits helper, which has no relationship to the credential-harvesting behavior in the shipped code, and the destination host is unrelated to any legitimate publisher infrastructure.

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-2026-17254?

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-2026-17254 is a malicious package: @hrmony/benefit-internetzuschuss (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-2026-17254/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17254/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17254

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17254/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.