# MAL-2026-18287: Malicious code in @ppa-web-components/ppa-searchform (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@ppa-web-components/ppa-searchform` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9p3j-rrmc-jc4p

## What is MAL-2026-18287?

MAL-2026-18287 is a malicious package in @ppa-web-components/ppa-searchform, published on 25 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

@ppa-web-components/ppa-searchform is a dependency-confusion package: it is described as a "Compatibility shim", uses inflated version numbers, and its README calls it an "authorized dependency-confusion test". Each listed version (1.0.0, 1.0.1, 2.0.1, 0.0.1, 3.0.0, 1.1.0, 99.0.1, 2.0.0) has a postinstall script that runs `node beacon.cjs` on npm install, and index.js calls the same code when the package is imported; it POSTs the hostname, install path and current working directory over plain HTTP to `http://185.158.107.175:8787/_ah/dc`, and index.js exports a Proxy that returns no-op functions so builds importing the real package keep running. The npm account wiseke published 14 such packages under the @greenlake, @sxm-web, @drone-js-ext and @ppa-web-components scopes between 2026-10-23 21:23 and 2026-10-25 14:28 UTC; index.js is byte-identical to that of ph-common (MAL-2026-1809), which sends to the same endpoint.

The package ships a `beacon.cjs` that is wired to run both via the `postinstall` lifecycle script and from top-level `index.js` on `require()`. On execution it collects host identifiers (hostname, install path, current working directory, Node.js version) and POSTs them to a hardcoded bare-IPv4 endpoint over plaintext HTTP at http://185.158.107.175:8787/_ah/dc. The destination is not a publisher-owned domain. The package's `index.js` exports a `Proxy` that returns no-op functions for every property access, so the module provides no real functionality — its only effect on install or import is the beacon callback. The combination of a non-functional shim under an organisation-shaped scope with a reconnaissance beacon fired at install and import time is the fingerprint of a dependency-confusion / namesquat probe that reports successful resolution and build inside a victim's environment.

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-2026-18287?

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-2026-18287 is a malicious package: @ppa-web-components/ppa-searchform (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-2026-18287/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18287/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-18287

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-18287/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.