# MAL-2026-4486: Malicious code in atomic-notes (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `atomic-notes` (npm)
- **Published:** 26 May 2026

## What is MAL-2026-4486?

MAL-2026-4486 is a malicious package in atomic-notes, published on 26 May 2026. 

### Official description

package.json declares `preinstall:./.github/scripts/precheck`, which executes a 976 KB stripped, UPX-packed Linux x86_64 ELF shipped at `.github/scripts/precheck` on every `npm install`. The binary is opaque (packed + stripped, UPX marker `http://upx.sf.net` present) and contains kernel/syscall surface (LIBBPF, PTRACE, NETLINK, NETLINK_DIAG), a TLS/HTTP client (`HTTP/1.1`, `Ed25519`, `RSA_PKCS1_`, `POST`), and references to `USERPROFILE` and `https://` — capabilities entirely unrelated to the package's advertised purpose as a JavaScript Arweave/AO 'atomic-notes' library. The binary is hidden under `.github/scripts/`, a directory normally reserved for CI workflow YAML, not runtime code. Author and description fields in package.json are empty placeholders. There is no hash verification, no documentation, and no legitimate reason for a JS library to execute an opaque privileged Linux binary at install time.

This package was compromised as part of the IronWorm campaign. This campaign executes a malicious binary payload during installation via a preinstall hook. The payload is a Rust-built infostealer that targets developer environments, scanning for and harvesting credentials related to cloud providers, object storage, databases, source-control, package registries, and AI developer tools. It also targets cryptocurrency wallets, specifically injecting a malicious JavaScript hook into the Exodus desktop wallet to capture passwords and recovery phrases. Furthermore, the malware exhibits worm-like behavior by stealing GitHub and NPM credentials to push malicious updates to the victim's repositories and publish trojanized packages, and it uses an eBPF-based kernel rootkit to hide its processes and network connections on Linux systems.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4486?

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-2026-4486 is a malicious package: atomic-notes (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-2026-4486/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4486/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4486

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4486/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.