# MAL-2026-17320: Malicious code in cdn-img-fetch (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `cdn-img-fetch` (npm)
- **Published:** 30 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-v3rj-w7v4-jcfx

## What is MAL-2026-17320?

MAL-2026-17320 is a malicious package in cdn-img-fetch, published on 30 Sep 2026. 

### Official description

On require() of cdn-img-fetch, index.js unconditionally invokes https.get against https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cavecrew/proj/main/banner.png and pipes the response into a hidden dot-file at os.tmpdir()/._cif_data (written via a.part file and renamed into place). The source is a mutable main-branch URL in a personal GitHub account unrelated to the npm publisher, with no version pin, hash, or signature check, so whoever controls that repo controls the bytes dropped onto the installer's disk on every import. The fetch fires automatically as an IIFE at module load, not from any user-invoked API, and the destination filename is deliberately hidden. The package advertises itself as a CDN image cache helper, which does not explain an import-time download of an opaque file from a third-party personal repo to a hidden tmp location. This is the first-stage dropper / staging shape: the current fetched bytes are written but not executed in this version, but the mechanism gives an off-registry actor a persistent import-time write primitive into every installer's tmp directory.

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-2026-17320?

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-2026-17320 is a malicious package: cdn-img-fetch (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-2026-17320/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17320/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17320

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17320/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.