# MAL-2026-18217: Malicious code in @grabcad/user-license (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@grabcad/user-license` (npm)
- **Published:** 23 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6w2v-744r-g5j5

## What is MAL-2026-18217?

MAL-2026-18217 is a malicious package in @grabcad/user-license, published on 23 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

The package ships a `beacon.cjs` module that is wired to run both automatically on install (via `package.json` `postinstall: node beacon.cjs`) and on every load of the package (`index.js` calls `require('./beacon.cjs').fire()` at module top level). The beacon POSTs a JSON payload containing the installer's hostname, install directory, current working directory, and Node.js version to the hardcoded bare-IP endpoint `http://185.158.107.175:8787/_ah/dc` over cleartext HTTP. The main entry point additionally exports a `Proxy` whose `get` trap returns a no-op function for any accessed property, so consumer bundlers importing any named or default member of this package name silently succeed, concealing the fact that no real API is present while the beacon runs. The package name uses the `@grabcad` scope, consistent with a dependency-confusion lure targeting an internal package of that name. Self-descriptive strings framing this as an 'authorized dependency-confusion test' or 'build-provenance beacon' do not change the behavior: install and import of this package exfiltrate installer host identifiers to a hardcoded non-first-party bare-IP destination with no caller opt-in.

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-2026-18217?

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-2026-18217 is a malicious package: @grabcad/user-license (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-2026-18217/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18217/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18217

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18217/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.