# MAL-2026-4466: Malicious code in @weirdorg/config (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `@weirdorg/config` (npm)
- **Published:** 20 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qj44-mw8g-p27p

## What is MAL-2026-4466?

MAL-2026-4466 is a malicious package in @weirdorg/config, published on 20 May 2026. 

### Official description

`@weirdorg/config` impersonates the widely-used `config` (node-config) package, copying its README verbatim including the `require('config')` usage example. The package's `index.js` redirects to `./lib/load.js`, a ~422 KB file protected with obfuscator.io-style RC4 string-array decoding wrapping a custom VM interpreter. The VM captures the host `require`, `module`, `exports`, `__dirname`, and `__filename` into a global context and then evaluates multiple large base64-encoded bytecode payloads (e.g. `_0x191ca6=["AcIHAQAEBOjIWW0O8b9jdskw9QJh7xQQCAAF7QEDACYE..."]`). The code also references `execArgv`, `inspector`, and `SIGUSR1` — debugger-evasion strings with no place in a configuration library. Because `lib/load.js` is loaded immediately by `index.js`, opaque attacker-controlled code executes the moment any consumer runs `require('@weirdorg/config')`. The combination of (a) name confusion against a top-tier registry package, (b) verbatim README copy to mislead installers, (c) replaced entrypoint pointing at a heavily obfuscated VM, and (d) captured host `require`/`module` handles plus interpreted bytecode is the canonical malicious-loader shape — the exact network/exec behavior is intentionally hidden behind two layers of obfuscation, but arbitrary code execution in the installer's Node process is implicit in the design.

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-2026-4466?

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-2026-4466 is a malicious package: @weirdorg/config (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-2026-4466/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4466/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4466

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4466/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.