# MAL-2026-18220: Malicious code in skillward (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `skillward` (npm)
- **Published:** 23 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9wgc-5pgr-25p3

## What is MAL-2026-18220?

MAL-2026-18220 is a malicious package in skillward, published on 23 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

skillward ships a set of lint/scan rules under dist/rules/ that detect suspicious patterns in other code. SW003-encoded-payload.js contains detection logic that references Buffer.from/base64 decoding patterns as things to flag; SW007-suspicious-egress.js enumerates dynamic-DNS provider substrings (no-ip., hopto.org, duckdns) as indicators to match against scanned code. These strings appear as detection data inside a rules module, not as runtime behavior of the package itself: the package does not decode or execute any base64 payload, does not contact dynamic-DNS hosts, and has no install-time or import-time network, filesystem, or credential activity. The pattern matches the indicator-as-data shape of a defensive detection tool.

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-2026-18220?

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-2026-18220 is a malicious package: skillward (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-2026-18220/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18220/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18220

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18220/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.