# MAL-2026-4336: Malicious code in webservices.rest-utils (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `webservices.rest-utils` (npm)
- **Published:** 21 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-v62r-4vqp-f32g

## What is MAL-2026-4336?

MAL-2026-4336 is a malicious package in webservices.rest-utils, published on 21 May 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares both `preinstall` and `postinstall` hooks that execute `index.js`, which exfiltrates installer data to a base64-encoded Cloudflare Worker destination (`openmrs-sol-dev-v2.lapxa354.workers.dev`). The payload includes hostname, username, network interfaces, /etc/resolv.conf,.git/HEAD, ~40 CI/CD environment variables (GITHUB_*, GITLAB_*, AWS_*, CIRCLE_*, BUILDKITE_*, VERCEL_*, etc.), recursively walked package.json metadata,.npmrc registry/scope hints, and presence indicators for ~/.ssh, ~/.aws/credentials, ~/.kube/config, ~/.docker, ~/.npmrc, ~/.gitconfig, shell histories. When cloud env-var probes match, the script contacts the cloud metadata IP (encoded as decimal `2852039166` == 169.254.169.254) to harvest live AWS IMDSv2 IAM tokens, GCP service-account access tokens, and Azure managed-identity tokens — first 40 characters of each are appended to the exfil. It additionally performs DNS reconnaissance against ~25 internal hostnames (kubernetes.default.svc.cluster.local, vault.internal, consul.service.consul, gitlab.local, jenkins.local, ec2.internal, rancher.internal, etc.) for lateral-movement targeting. `package.json` declares 11 `bin` aliases — `webpack`, `vite`, `tsc`, `eslint`, `jest`, `gulp`, `next`, `turbo`, `prettier`, `tsnode` — all pointing at the same malicious `index.js`, so every subsequent invocation of those common dev commands re-triggers the exfiltrator while forwarding to the real tool to mask the hijack. Obfuscation (base64 destination, decimal-encoded metadata IP, `MalekAbuLialaResearch/1.0` cover User-Agent, `[Webpack-Debug-MAB-v1]` log label) confirms intent.

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-2026-4336?

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-2026-4336 is a malicious package: webservices.rest-utils (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-2026-4336/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4336/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4336

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4336/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.