# MAL-2026-4494: Malicious code in axois-utils (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `axois-utils` (npm)
- **Published:** 20 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pvvv-cmc6-c323

## What is MAL-2026-4494?

MAL-2026-4494 is a malicious package in axois-utils, published on 20 May 2026. 

### Official description

The package name is a single-character transposition of `axios`. `package.json` declares `preinstall`, `install`, and `postinstall` hooks all pointing at `postinstall.js`, guaranteeing execution on `npm install`. `postinstall.js` reads `~/.ssh/id_*`, `~/.aws/credentials`, `~/.aws/config`, `~/.config/gcloud/application_default_credentials.json`, `~/.azure/accessTokens.json`, `~/.npmrc`, shell histories, browser profile data, crypto wallet files, the entire `process.env`, and recursively walks `~/projects`, `~/dev`, `~/code`, `~/workspace`, and the current working directory for `.env` files. Collected data is POSTed via plain HTTP to `http://80.200.28.28:2222/collect` (hardcoded as `C2_HOST` at line 11). Author comments in the source explicitly label installers as 'victims' (`// Change this to your PUBLIC IP when deploying to victims`) and construct a `VICTIM_ID`, leaving no benign interpretation. The exposed `fetchData` API in `index.js` is a stub that only `console.log`s — the package has no legitimate function.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-4494?

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-2026-4494 is a malicious package: axois-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-2026-4494/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4494/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-4494

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-4494/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.