# MAL-2026-3199: Malicious code in blackbeards-navigator (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `blackbeards-navigator` (npm)
- **Published:** 30 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cfpj-hqgr-45g3

## What is MAL-2026-3199?

MAL-2026-3199 is a malicious package in blackbeards-navigator, published on 30 Apr 2026. 

### Official description

Four pirate-themed npm packages (`blackbeards-navigator`, `beusy`, `sirens-lament`, `gunpowder-ghost`) were published by the npm account `beusy` with heavily inflated version numbers (209.0.0–210.0.0), a hallmark of dependency confusion attacks. Each package contains identical malicious lifecycle scripts (`preinstall`, `install`, and `postinstall`) that run on npm install, searching the entire filesystem (up to 8 directory levels deep) for HackTheBox CTF flags matching the pattern `HTB{`. If no flags are found, the scripts collect environment variables and `/proc/1/environ` as a fallback. The collected data is base64-encoded and exfiltrated via an HTTPS GET request to an attacker-controlled ngrok tunnel (`https://7f83-194-51-113-30.ngrok-free.app`), with the package name and hostname included as query parameters. The packages have no legitimate functionality; `index.js` exports an empty object.

This package (`blackbeards-navigator`) identifies itself as `pkg=blackbeards-navigator` in the exfil request. All three lifecycle hooks run the same payload, ensuring execution regardless of npm lifecycle ordering.

The package blackbeards-navigator was found to contain malicious code.

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.

The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'blackbeards-navigator' @ 207.0.0 (npm) as malicious.

It is considered malicious because:

- The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.

- The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-3199?

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-2026-3199 is a malicious package: blackbeards-navigator (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-2026-3199/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-3199/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-3199

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-3199/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.