# MAL-2026-4335: Malicious code in webservices.rest (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `webservices.rest` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2qjx-pgq9-vx24

## What is MAL-2026-4335?

MAL-2026-4335 is a malicious package in webservices.rest, published on 21 May 2026. 

### Official description

Package name `webservices.rest` impersonates the OpenMRS REST API naming convention and is published at version 99.1.0 — the canonical dependency-confusion version-bump pattern designed to outrank an internal/private package of the same name in mixed registry resolution. The package's only functional behavior is to load a separate, caret-pinned dependency `webservices.rest-utils@^1.0.5`: `package.json` declares `"postinstall": "node index.js"`, and `index.js` line 2 calls `require('webservices.rest-utils')` wrapped in an empty try/catch that suppresses any errors. This means `npm install webservices.rest` silently fetches and executes whatever code `webservices.rest-utils` contains, both at install (via postinstall) and at import. Additional integrity-of-publication red flags: README claims an 'OpenMRS Community Contributor' affiliation, but the LICENSE file copyright is held by 'dov-nods-autho' and the declared license disagrees between `package.json` (Apache-2.0) and the LICENSE file (MIT). The package itself contains no other functionality — it is a thin loader stub whose sole supply-chain effect is to drag the caret-pinned utility package into the installer's dependency tree and execute it.

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-2026-4335?

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-2026-4335 is a malicious package: webservices.rest (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-2026-4335/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4335/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4335

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4335/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.