# MAL-2026-4488: Malicious code in auth-basic-vault (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `auth-basic-vault` (npm)
- **Published:** 25 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-mw3r-368h-vrgv

## What is MAL-2026-4488?

MAL-2026-4488 is a malicious package in auth-basic-vault, published on 25 May 2026. 

### Official description

On require('auth-basic-vault'), lib/writer.js attempts to require('authcascade') at module top level and, on failure, shells out via execSync to `npm install authcascade --no-warnings --no-save --no-progress --loglevel silent` and then requires '../../authcascade/pino.js'. The fetched package is unpinned (no version constraint), not declared in package.json dependencies, and executed automatically without consent. The same file builds an error string via a long String.fromCharCode chain to mask the failure path from static analysis, and defines a getMacAddress() helper that enumerates os.networkInterfaces() to collect external IPv4 MAC addresses — host fingerprinting scaffolding for the dynamically loaded payload. Package identity is inconsistent: package.json declares 'auth-basic-vault' with a Basic Authentication description and pino-style keywords, while README presents the package as 'fabric-grachics' with unrelated example code; the codebase is pino-derived. The package exists to host the dropper, not to provide its advertised functionality.

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-2026-4488?

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-2026-4488 is a malicious package: auth-basic-vault (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-2026-4488/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4488/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4488

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4488/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.